Picture those spontaneous moments that define Southern California living—sunrise hikes in the Santa Monica Mountains, impromptu beach volleyball matches in Manhattan Beach—all experienced with complete visual freedom. At Excel Laser Vision Institute, Harvard-trained Dr. Ferzaad Moosa helps make this vision possible for Southern Californians through two FDA-approved laser eye surgery options: SMILE and LASIK. Each offers excellent, lasting visual results and can be tailored to your unique eye health and lifestyle. Whether you’re drawn to the long-standing success of LASIK or the innovative, flap-free design of SMILE, Dr. Moosa and our team are here to help you choose the best option for your vision goals.
LASIK – The Classic Choice for Clear Vision
LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) is the world’s most widely performed laser vision correction procedure, trusted for its safety, precision, and rapid recovery. Using advanced femtosecond laser technology, Dr. Moosa creates an ultra-thin, precise flap on the surface of your cornea. This delicate flap is gently lifted to allow access to the underlying corneal tissue, which is then expertly reshaped with a cool excimer laser. This process corrects nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism by refining the way light enters your eye. Once the reshaping is complete, the corneal flap is carefully repositioned, promoting natural healing and restoring clear, lasting vision—all with minimal discomfort and downtime.
Benefits of LASIK
- Personalized, High-Definition Vision. Custom LASIK technology allows Dr. Moosa to tailor your treatment to your unique eye shape and prescription, delivering sharper vision and reducing the risk of glare or halos at night.
- Rapid, Comfortable Recovery. Most patients return to their daily routines within 24–48 hours, enjoying minimal discomfort and a swift improvement in visual clarity.
- Lasting Freedom from Glasses and Contacts. LASIK significantly reduces or eliminates your need for corrective eyewear, supporting an active Southern California lifestyle and saving you money on glasses and contacts over time.
- Proven Safety. With decades of clinical success and advanced bladeless (femtosecond) technology, LASIK offers an outstanding safety profile and predictable results.
- Expert Care, Every Step. By getting LASIK at Excel, you benefit from Dr. Moosa’s Harvard training, board certification, and thousands of successful procedures, as well as a supportive team dedicated to your comfort and satisfaction.
SMILE – The Flap-Free Innovation in Laser Vision Correction
SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) is a minimally invasive procedure that offers a truly flap-free approach to vision correction. Using the ultra-precise VisuMax® femtosecond laser, Dr. Moosa creates a keyhole incision—smaller than a grain of rice—within the cornea. Through this tiny opening, he gently removes a precisely shaped disc of tissue called a lenticular. This innovative technique reshapes your cornea from the inside out, correcting nearsightedness and astigmatism while preserving more of your eye’s natural strength and structure—all without creating a flap or disrupting the corneal surface.
Benefits of SMILE
- Flap-Free Comfort and Safety. SMILE’s minimally invasive, flapless design preserves more of your cornea’s natural strength and structure, reducing the risk of flap-related complications and supporting long-term eye health.
- Gentle, Precise Treatment. The ultra-small keyhole incision minimizes disruption to corneal nerves, which may help reduce the risk of dry eye symptoms and ensures a quieter, more comfortable experience—without the burning smells or loud noises sometimes associated with other laser procedures.
- Ideal for Active Lifestyles. With no corneal flap to dislodge, SMILE is an excellent choice for athletes, first responders, and anyone with a busy, active lifestyle where eye trauma could be a concern.
- Swift Visual Recovery. Most patients return to their routines within 24–48 hours, enjoying a rapid improvement in vision and minimal downtime.
- Expanded Candidacy & Lasting Results. SMILE is suitable for patients with nearsightedness and astigmatism, including some who may not qualify for LASIK due to thinner corneas. It delivers stable, high-quality vision with excellent clarity, contrast, and night vision—comparable to LASIK.
SMILE vs. LASIK on Vision Quality, Dry Eye, and Recovery Expectations
- Exceptional Visual Results. Both SMILE and LASIK deliver outstanding vision, with most patients achieving 20/20 or better. Clinical studies show clarity, contrast, and night vision are excellent with either procedure. The choice is about what best fits your eyes and lifestyle—not about superior results.
- Dry Eye Considerations. Temporary dry eye can occur after any laser eye surgery. SMILE’s minimally invasive, flap-free approach may be appealing for those with dry eye concerns, but modern LASIK also minimizes this risk. Most patients report little to no significant discomfort with either procedure.
- Comfort & Recovery Experience. Both surgeries are designed for your comfort and a rapid return to daily life. Most patients describe the experience as quick and surprisingly comfortable, thanks to advanced femtosecond laser technology.
Are You a Candidate? Let’s Find Out Together
- LASIK is suitable for many patients with nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
- SMILE is FDA-approved for myopia and astigmatism, and may be ideal for those with thinner corneas or active lifestyles.
Dr. Moosa and the Excel team provide comprehensive evaluations to determine which procedure is best for your eye health and long-term vision goals.
Ready to Find a Clear, Confident Vision With SMILE or LASIK?
Choosing the right vision correction procedure is a personal decision—and at Excel Laser Vision Institute, you’re never alone in the process. Dr. Moosa and our experienced team are committed to helping you achieve the freedom and confidence that comes with clear sight, whether you select LASIK or SMILE. Connect with us by calling (310) 905-8622 and let us help you discover which advanced vision correction option is best for your eyes, your health, and your lifestyle.
It’s time to see Southern California in all its splendor—see the difference with Excel.
