Step 1 · Diagnostics
Examination and decision
A full eye examination, calculation of parameters and a surgeon's consultation. Together we decide whether SMILE Pro is right for you.
SMILE Pro on VisuMax 800 — laser vision correction
SMILE Pro — a modern and gentle method of laser vision correction
- The Microchirurgia ochiului clinic is the leading ophthalmology centre in Moldova, with many years of practice. We don't just correct your vision — we give you freedom from glasses and contact lenses for years to come.
- Our goal is to restore the patient's clear vision, relying on the advanced technologies of Carl Zeiss and the standards of modern global ophthalmology.
What is SMILE Pro
SMILE Pro is the latest advance in the flapless SMILE method. In a matter of seconds, the ZEISS VisuMax 800 femtosecond laser shapes a thin lens — a lenticule — inside the cornea, allowing it to be removed through a micro-incision of just 2 millimetres. The biomechanics of the cornea remain practically untouched.
8 sec
A new level of speed
The VisuMax 800 laser operates at a frequency of 2 MHz — four times faster than the previous generation.
2 mm
Minimal invasiveness
No corneal flap is created. The micro-incision preserves the strength of the cornea.
AI
The precision of AI assistants
CentraLign and OcuLign automatically centre the pupil and account for the astigmatism axis.
1 day
Fast recovery
The next day you can return to work, driving and everyday activities.
SMILE Pro — a big step forward in vision correction
Put simply, it is the most modern and safe laser vision correction available today. It was created by the German company Carl Zeiss, known worldwide for its optics and medical devices. The SMILE method has been in use for more than ten years, and SMILE Pro is its improved version: more precise, gentler and faster.
The main difference is speed. The new VisuMax 800 laser works four times faster than previous models. Each eye takes only about 8 seconds. During this time the device carefully shapes an ultra-thin layer of tissue inside the cornea, which the doctor removes through a tiny 2 mm incision. Vision clears almost immediately, and as soon as the next day most patients return to their usual lives — behind the wheel, at work, on their smartphone screen.
Step 1 · Diagnostics
Surgery day
Correction in 8 seconds
Painless, under drop anaesthesia. The VisuMax 800 laser works about 8 seconds per eye. You can go home within an hour.
Day 1
Check-up and clear vision
The next day — a follow-up. Most patients already see clearly and return to work and driving.
Days 2–7
The first week
Drops as prescribed and eye hygiene. Temporarily avoid the pool, sauna and contact sports.
2–4 weeks
Stabilisation
Your vision fully stabilises and you return to full activity — sport, screens, travel.
Result
Freedom without glasses
Clear vision for years — without glasses or contact lenses.
Book a diagnosticAdvantages of the method
01 — Comfort during the procedure
Painless. No sutures, no long time spent under the laser.
02 — Preservation of corneal tissue
The lenticule is removed through a micro-incision, and the biomechanics of the cornea are preserved as fully as possible.
03 — Reduced risk of complications
Flapless technology and Carl Zeiss equipment — less than 1% risk of side effects according to statistics.
04 — Stable long-term result
Corrects myopia up to -10D and astigmatism up to -5D. Vision stays stable for many years.
05 — No lengthy sick leave
As early as the morning after surgery — sport, driving, working at the computer.
06 — Exclusive technology
MIKOF clinic is the first in the region to offer vision correction on the ZEISS VisuMax 800 laser.
Comparison of correction methods
Parameter |
PRK |
LASIK |
Femto-LASIK |
SMILE Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laser used | Excimer | Excimer | VisuMax800 + Excimer | VisuMax800 |
| How the equipment acts | Surface-level, not all corneal layers are preserved | The flap is created with a microkeratome, the excimer laser acts inside the cornea, all layers are preserved | The flap is created with VisuMax800, the excimer laser acts inside the cornea, all layers are preserved | Flapless; VisuMax800 shapes the lenticule inside the cornea, preserving all layers |
| Laser duration | 10–30 sec | 10–30 sec | Under 10 sec VisuMax800 / 10–30 sec Excimer | under 10 sec |
| Comfort | Low | Medium | Medium | Maximum |
| Recovery | Lengthy | Fast, with restrictions | Fast, with restrictions | Fast, with minimal restrictions |
SMILE Pro is not a replacement but a complement to the methods already used at "Microchirurgia ochiului": LASIK and other modern laser correction technologies. This allows the doctor to choose the optimal approach individually — based on the diagnostics and an in-person consultation.
How the procedure works
The entire correction takes 5–10 minutes per eye. The laser action itself lasts only 8 seconds.
Step 1
Preparing the patient
We clean the area around the eye, instil anaesthetic drops and place a soft eyelid speculum.
Step 2
Automatic centring
The AI systems CentraLign and OcuLign align the eye to the optical axis and account for the astigmatism axis.
Step 3
Shaping the lenticule
In 8 seconds the femtosecond laser shapes a thin lenticule disc and a 2 mm micro-incision to remove it.
Step 4
Removing the lenticule
The surgeon carefully extracts the lenticule through the micro-incision. The integrity of the cornea is preserved.
Step 5
Completion
We rinse the surgical area, remove the eyelid speculum, and provide a drop schedule and recommendations.
Indications and limitations
The method is suitable if you have:
- Myopia from -1 to -10 dioptres
- Astigmatism up to -5 dioptres
- Age 18 and over
- Stable vision over the past year
- Sufficient corneal thickness
The procedure is not performed in case of:
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Progressive myopia
- Inflammatory eye diseases
- Autoimmune diseases
- Keratoconus, cataract, glaucoma
- Corneal thickness below 480 µm
SMILE Pro prices at the Microchirurgia ochiului clinic
Diagnostics and ophthalmologist consultation
Full examination of an adult patient. Price for both eyes.
700 MDL / 650 MDL online booking
The examination includes:
- Measuring visual acuity with/without correction
- Refractometry, keratometry
- Non-contact tonometry
- Optical biometry, retinal scan
- Biomicroscopy, doctor's consultation
- Additional tests if needed — free of charge
SmilePro (VisuMax 800)
Laser vision correction. The price is shown per eye.
23,000 MDL
Stages of the procedure:
- Preparation of the surgical field
- Drop anaesthesia
- Laser stage on VisuMax 800
- Removal of the lenticule
- Follow-up the next day
Prices are valid from 01.04.2026. The exact cost is determined based on the diagnostics.
Doctors of the refractive laser vision correction department
Vladimir
Afanasievich
Ivanov
Ophthalmologist-surgeon
Olga
Georgievna
Zorila
Ophthalmologist
The clinic in numbers:
30+ years
of experience and trust
750,000+
patients examined
5 areas
from diagnostics to treatment
18 specialists
of narrow expertise
250,000+
operations performed
130+ staff
stable operation of the clinic
Frequently asked questions
Does SMILE Pro correction hurt? +
The procedure is virtually painless thanks to drop anaesthesia. Most patients feel only a slight pressure during the 8 seconds of laser action.
How long does vision recovery take? +
Clarity returns within the first hours after surgery and improves significantly the next day, allowing you to return to work, driving and everyday tasks. Stabilisation occurs within 2–4 weeks.
Can both eyes be corrected in a single visit? +
Yes. SMILE Pro allows both eyes to be corrected on the same day — this is convenient and shortens the overall recovery period.
How does SMILE Pro differ from classic SMILE? +
SMILE Pro is performed on the new VisuMax 800 laser at a frequency of 2 MHz — four times faster than the previous generation, and it provides more precise centring thanks to AI assistants.
Is the method effective for astigmatism? +
Yes, SMILE Pro corrects astigmatism up to -5 dioptres. The OcuLign system automatically accounts for the torsional shift of the axis.
When can I return to working at the computer? +
As early as the next day. We recommend taking a break every hour and observing eye hygiene during the first weeks.
