Minimally invasive surgery
ZEISS SMILE pro Laser Eye Surgery
See the world beyond barriers with Ireland’s most experienced SMILE laser eye surgery clinic
- Minimally invasive, effective, and precise
- Quick painless procedure
- Correction of vision disorders in a single procedure
- Fast-tracked appointments available
- 0% finance
ZEISS SMILE pro at Cathedral Eye Clinic
More than 10 million eyes successfully treated with ZEISS SMILE & ZEISS SMILE pro worldwide
Clear vision is essential for work, daily life and overall quality of life. However, common refractive errors such as short-sightedness (myopia), long-sightedness (hyperopia) and astigmatism can affect how well you see.
While glasses and contact lenses provide effective vision correction, many people are looking for a long-term solution. At Cathedral Eye Clinic, we offer advanced Laser Vision Correction procedures designed to reduce or eliminate dependence on glasses and contact lenses.
Modern, minimally invasive techniques such as SMILE laser eye surgery provide precise, gentle treatment with fast recovery times and excellent visual outcomes. Laser eye surgery is now one of the safest and most effective ways to correct refractive error.
Suitability for laser eye surgery depends on your prescription, eye health and lifestyle. Our experienced ophthalmologists will carry out a comprehensive consultation to determine the most appropriate treatment for your individual vision needs.
Eyes Treated Worldwide
More than 10 million eyes successfully treated with
ZEISS SMILE & ZEISS SMILE pro worldwide
Did you know that nobody sees like you?
When visual information moves past your eyes it connects to your feelings and personality. So while we might look at the same things, we all perceive them differently.
We experience a visual world that is unique to everyone of us.
At a Glance
SMILE at a glance
- Minimally invasive and gentle with only a small incision
- No flap necessary, thus reducing the risk of infection and incidence of dry eyes
- Supporting a comfortable and stress-free patient experience
- Generally fast visual recovery within a few days
- Predominantly excellent visual outcomes with high predictability
- Great treatment option also for athletes engaging in contact sports, flight crews, military and rescue personnel
The Treatment
From Start to Finish
Anaesthetic eye drops are used to gently numb the eye before the procedure — no needles are required. Which means you should not feel any discomfort.
During SMILE laser eye surgery, the laser works very quickly to create a small, precise piece of tissue within the cornea (called a lenticule). This part of the treatment takes only around 10–13 seconds. Because it’s so quick, you only need to keep your eye still for a short time, which helps make the procedure feel easier and less stressful.
Your surgeon then gently removes this tiny piece of tissue through a very small opening. Removing it subtly reshapes the cornea, allowing light to focus properly on the retina and improving your vision.
Although your vision may take a few weeks to fully stabilise, many patients notice an improvement in their eyesight shortly after treatment.
With SMILE Pro, post-operative discomfort is usually minimal, and the risk of dry eye symptoms is generally low.
Overall, patient satisfaction is very high. Follow-up results show that both short-sighted and long-sighted patients report excellent vision quality and a high level of satisfaction in the months after surgery.
Ready to find out if SMILE Pro is right for you?
Book a suitability consultation and our clinical team will walk you through everything.
TransPRK vs LASIK vs SMILE Pro
Every patient’s visual needs are unique.
We’ll guide you to the right procedure at your free consultation.
SMILE Pro
Method
Minimally invasive, flap-free laser surgery
Description
A precise laser creates a small disc of tissue (lenticule) within the cornea, which is removed through a tiny incision to reshape the eye and correct vision.
LASIK
Method
Flap-based laser surgery
Description
A thin corneal flap is created, lifted, and the underlying tissue is reshaped with a laser before the flap is repositioned.
TransPRK
Method
Surface laser treatment (no flap, no touch technique)
Description
The excimer laser gently removes the outer layer of the cornea (epithelium) in a single-step treatment. The underlying cornea is then reshaped to correct vision.
Which Procedure Is Right for You?
Three world-class treatments.
Select each to explore the benefits – your assessment will confirm which is best for your eyes.
TransPRK
The original no-touch surface laser — ideal for patients with thinner corneas or those who prefer a completely instrument-free procedure.
SMILE Pro
The most advanced laser eye surgery available — minimally invasive, flap-free, and now treating a wider range of prescriptions than ever before.
LASIK
One of the most widely performed laser eye surgery procedures worldwide — known for its rapid recovery and highly predictable results.
Limitations & Considerations
Every procedure has trade-offs. We believe in being upfront — so you can make a fully informed decision with confidence.
Of the three procedures, SMILE Pro carries the fewest known limitations — making it the preferred choice for many patients.
Your Journey Starts Here
Treatment Journey
Your journey begins with a complimentary suitability assessment at our clinic. This one-hour appointment is carried out by our experienced optometry team and is designed to determine which vision correction treatment you are best suited to.
There is no charge and no obligation — it's simply the first step in understanding your options.
If SMILE Pro is recommended, you'll meet with one of our consultant Ophthalmic Surgeons. During this appointment, your procedure will be explained in detail and expected outcomes discussed.
Any questions you may have will be fully answered, allowing you to make an informed decision with confidence.
If you decide to proceed, our booking coordinator will arrange your surgery date. They will guide you through everything you need to know ahead of treatment, including pre-operative instructions and what to expect on the day.
Available finance options will also be discussed, ensuring you feel fully prepared.
On the day of your procedure, our clinical team will look after you every step of the way. The treatment itself typically takes under 10 minutes per eye and the actual laser time is usually under 45 seconds.
You can expect to be in the clinic for a couple of hours in total to allow time for pre-treatment preparation and post-treatment checks before you head home.
Your care continues well beyond surgery. Our comprehensive aftercare package is designed to support safe healing and successful outcomes, and includes up to one year of post-treatment care for selected laser eye surgery procedures.
Follow-up appointments and ongoing clinical support are included — our team remains with you every step of the way.
Your journey begins with a complimentary suitability assessment at our clinic. This one-hour appointment is carried out by our experienced optometry team, designed to determine which vision correction treatment you are best suited to.
There is no charge and no obligation — it's simply the first step in understanding your options.
If SMILE Pro is recommended, you'll meet with one of our consultant Ophthalmic Surgeons. Your procedure will be explained in detail, expected outcomes discussed, and any questions you may have fully answered.
This allows you to make an informed decision with confidence.
Our booking coordinator will arrange your surgery date and guide you through everything you need to know ahead of treatment — pre-operative instructions, what to expect on the day, and available finance options.
Our clinical team will look after you every step of the way. Treatment typically takes under 10 minutes per eye, with laser time usually under 45 seconds. Expect to be in the clinic for a couple of hours in total.
Our comprehensive aftercare package supports safe healing and successful outcomes, including up to one year of post-treatment care with follow-up appointments and ongoing clinical support.
SMILE Pro Cost
Your consultation will include a full cost breakdown – no surprises.
FROM
£2300
Per eye
0%
FINANCE AVAILABLE
from £23 per month
Free six months aftercare
More affordable than you think
Laser eye surgery is more affordable than most people expect.
We offer transparent pricing, flexible payment options, and exceptional long-term value when compared to years of glasses and contact lenses.
What affects your cost?
- Your prescription
- The treatment best suited to your eyes
- Technology used (SMILE, LASIK, or TransPRK)
Frequently Asked Questions
SMILE is designed to correct:
- Short-sightedness (myopia)
- Astigmatism
- Or a combination of both
At Cathedral Eye Clinic, every patient undergoes a comprehensive laser eye surgery assessment to determine suitability. We evaluate:
- Your prescription and stability
- Corneal thickness and shape
- Overall eye health
- Your lifestyle, profession and hobbies
SMILE can be particularly suitable for people involved in contact sports, as well as professionals such as flight crew, military personnel and emergency service workers, where flap-free treatment may be beneficial.
The entire procedure takes approximately 15 minutes.
The laser treatment itself lasts only around 24–28 seconds per eye, making it a quick and efficient vision correction procedure.
Before your procedure at Cathedral Eye Clinic:
Switch from contact lenses to glasses (usually for several weeks prior)
Avoid makeup, lotions or perfume on the day of surgery
Arrange for someone to drive you home
Your consultant will provide personalised pre-operative instructions during your assessment.
SMILE is virtually painless.
Anaesthetic eye drops are used to numb the eye, and most patients report only mild pressure during the procedure.
After your SMILE procedure:
You’ll go home the same day to rest
Prescribed eye drops help prevent infection and support healing
A follow-up appointment is arranged for the next day
Additional reviews are scheduled over the following weeks to monitor your recovery.
Recovery is typically fast:
Many patients notice significantly improved vision within 24–48 hours
Vision usually stabilises within one week
Most people return to driving, work and light activities within a few days
Sports can generally resume shortly after, following your surgeon’s advice
Every patient heals differently, and your consultant will guide you accordingly.
SMILE is one of the most advanced forms of laser vision correction available today. Complications are rare, and the procedure has an excellent safety profile when performed by experienced refractive surgeons.
At Cathedral Eye Clinic, patient safety is our highest priority. All potential risks and benefits will be fully discussed during your consultation so you can make an informed decision.
Ready to See Life Clearly?
Book your laser eye surgery consultation today and discover why Cathedral Eye Clinic is trusted by patients, professionals, and peers alike.
Your vision deserves nothing less than the very best.
- Takes less than 30 seconds
- Your data is secure
