Using SMILE to correct high myopia

Clinical Results of Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE) for the Correction of High Myopia

Observational St. Franziskus Hospital · NCT04110067

This study is testing if a new eye surgery called SMILE can help people with very poor eyesight (high myopia) see better and recover quickly.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment5000 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorSt. Franziskus Hospital Academic / other
Locations1 site (Münster, North Rhine-Westphalia)
Trial IDNCT04110067 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study evaluates the effectiveness of Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE) for correcting high myopia, specifically in patients with refractive errors greater than -7.75 diopters. The procedure involves creating and extracting a lenticule from the cornea using a femtosecond laser, which aims to provide rapid visual recovery with minimal discomfort. The study will monitor long-term visual and refractive outcomes, assess the stability of results, and identify any rare complications or side effects associated with the procedure.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults with high myopia exceeding -7.75 diopters and stable refractive measurements for over a year.

Not a fit: Patients with corneal irregular astigmatism or ectatic conditions may not benefit from this procedure.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve vision and quality of life for patients with high myopia.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies on SMILE have shown promising results, indicating its potential effectiveness for myopia correction.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* adults
* myopia more than -7.75 D
* refractive stability more than 1 year

Exclusion Criteria:

* corneal irregular astigmatism
* ectatic conditions

Where this trial is running

Münster, North Rhine-Westphalia

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions MyopiaHigh MyopiaRefractive SurgerySmall Incision Lenticule ExtractionSMILE
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.