Introduction

For many people who wear glasses or contact lenses, the dream of waking up with clear vision—without reaching for their glasses—is powerful. In South Korea, where vision correction surgery has become widely trusted and refined, procedures like SMILE have gained a reputation for being both safe and effective. But alongside curiosity, there’s always a lingering concern that holds people back: Will it hurt?

At Jryn Eye Clinic in Busan, we’ve met countless patients who hesitated for months—or even years—before finally stepping into our clinic, simply because they feared the surgery might be painful. Today, we’ll walk you through what SMILE actually feels like, what our patients really say about their experience, and why comfort is one of its greatest advantages.

The Fear of Pain: More Common Than You Think

To be honest, the idea of having a laser touch your eye can sound intimidating. Many patients walk into our clinic nervous, imagining pain. In reality, though, modern vision correction surgeries are designed to be nearly painless. The anxiety before surgery is usually far worse than the procedure itself.

In Korean culture, where regular health check-ups are common and people often compare experiences with friends, it’s no surprise that stories—both accurate and exaggerated—spread quickly. One patient might hear about a cousin who had LASIK years ago and experienced temporary dryness, while another hears from a coworker that their recovery was effortless. These second-hand stories often heighten the fear of pain, even though advances in technology have dramatically improved comfort.

What people often overlook is that our eyes don’t feel sharp pain in the same way our skin does. With numbing drops applied just before surgery, patients are spared from most sensations that might otherwise be uncomfortable.

What Patients Actually Feel During SMILE

Here’s how our patients at Jryn Eye Clinic typically describe the experience:

• The numbing effect: Within seconds of the anesthetic drops, the eye feels heavy and slightly strange—but not painful.

• Pressure, not pain: During the laser step, patients sometimes describe a gentle pushing sensation or a sense of pressure. It’s similar to someone lightly resting a fingertip on your eyelid.

• A brief moment of blur: Vision goes dim or blurry for a few seconds while the laser is at work. Some patients compare it to being underwater.

• No burning smell with SMILE: Unlike LASIK, SMILE doesn’t involve reshaping the cornea’s surface with an excimer laser, so patients are often relieved that there’s no smell or sound to make them uneasy.

The actual laser part of the surgery takes less than 30 seconds. Most patients are surprised by how quick—and anticlimactic—it feels.

One patient told us afterward: “I kept waiting for the part that was supposed to hurt, but it never came. The anticipation was harder than the procedure.”

After Surgery: Discomfort vs. Pain

This is where patients’ expectations matter most. Immediately after SMILE, eyes may feel:

• Mild scratchiness, like a grain of sand in the eye

• Slight tearing or watering

• Sensitivity to light for a few hours

But here’s the important part: true pain is rare. Unlike LASIK, which requires a flap, SMILE involves only a tiny 2–4 mm incision. This smaller wound means faster healing and less discomfort overall. Most patients find they can rest for a few hours and wake up with vision already clearer and irritation almost gone.

In fact, many patients in Korea are surprised to find they can return to normal routines so quickly. Going to work the next day, meeting friends at a café, or simply enjoying a walk along Haeundae Beach—all are possible within 24 hours for most patients.

What Patients in Korea Say About Their Experience

At our clinic in Busan, patients often come in with stories they’ve heard from friends or family. Some expect unbearable pain; others expect nothing at all. Reality usually lands somewhere in between:

• “It wasn’t painful, just strange.” Many patients emphasize that the experience felt unusual, but not painful.

• “I was more nervous than I needed to be.” Fear of the unknown tends to be the hardest part.

• “The recovery was easier than I thought.” A few hours of discomfort quickly fade into clearer vision.

One middle-aged patient, who had put off vision correction for years due to fear, told us: “I should have done this earlier. It felt less uncomfortable than a dental cleaning.”

Another younger patient, a university student in Busan, laughed afterward and said: “I stressed for weeks and it ended up being like a quick nap at the clinic. The scariest part was walking into the surgery room.”

Why SMILE Is Considered Comfortable

From a medical perspective, SMILE’s comfort advantage comes from its design:

• No flap: Unlike LASIK, SMILE doesn’t involve lifting a corneal flap. That means fewer nerve endings are disturbed, reducing dryness and discomfort.

• Small incision: Just a few millimeters, compared to the larger cuts required in older procedures.

• Stability: Patients often feel more reassured knowing their cornea remains biomechanically stronger after SMILE.

Clinical studies back this up. Research published in Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery has shown that patients undergoing SMILE report lower postoperative discomfort and less dry eye compared to LASIK patients. This evidence echoes what we hear daily in our clinic.

At Jryn Eye Clinic, Dr. Han Sang Yeop has performed thousands of vision correction procedures, and the consistent feedback is that SMILE feels gentler—both during and after surgery.

How to Prepare Yourself Mentally

If you’re considering SMILE, it helps to set realistic expectations:

• Expect pressure, not pain.

• Know that the procedure is quick—often less than 10 minutes per eye.

• Plan to rest for the first few hours post-surgery.

• Remind yourself: the discomfort is temporary, the clarity is lasting.

Some patients also find it helpful to talk to others who’ve undergone SMILE. At Jryn Eye Clinic, we often connect prospective patients with testimonials and real patient stories, so they feel reassured by hearing from people just like them.

Many patients find that once they understand what the sensations will be like, their anxiety drops dramatically.

FAQs: Common Questions About Pain and Recovery

How long does discomfort last after SMILE?

Most patients feel scratchiness or tearing for just a few hours. By the next morning, most symptoms fade, and patients are comfortable enough to resume daily life.

Can I take painkillers after surgery?

In most cases, painkillers aren’t necessary. Lubricating eye drops and brief rest are usually enough. If discomfort persists, your doctor may recommend artificial tears or mild medication.

How does SMILE compare to LASIK in terms of pain?

Patients consistently report less postoperative discomfort with SMILE compared to LASIK. Because no flap is created, the corneal surface remains more stable, reducing nerve irritation.

Will I feel the laser?

You don’t feel the laser itself. The only sensation patients describe is gentle pressure and a temporary dimming of vision.

Can I return to work the next day?

Yes, most patients do. It’s common in Korea for patients to have surgery on a Friday and return to work on Monday with no issues.

The Bottom Line: Pain Is Not the Word Patients Use

So—does SMILE surgery hurt? From the voices of real patients: No, it doesn’t hurt. It feels unusual, sometimes a little uncomfortable, but never unbearable.

What lingers afterward is not the memory of discomfort, but the joy of waking up the next morning and seeing the world clearly without glasses.

If you’ve been hesitating because of fear, remember: pain is rarely part of the SMILE story. Clarity, comfort, and confidence are.

Conclusion: Fear Shouldn’t Hold You Back

For many people, the biggest obstacle to vision correction isn’t cost or eligibility—it’s fear of pain. But with SMILE, pain is not the defining experience. Instead, patients remember how quick, easy, and liberating the process feels. The few hours of minor discomfort are outweighed by years of clear, glasses-free vision.

In Busan, where advanced medical technology meets a culture that values precision and trust in healthcare, SMILE has become one of the most sought-after procedures. Our patients often tell us that the surgery gave them more than just clear eyesight—it gave them freedom and confidence they didn’t realize they were missing.

At Jryn Eye Clinic, we believe that understanding what to expect helps patients face surgery with confidence. If you’ve been putting off vision correction because of fear, let the real stories of our patients reassure you: SMILE surgery is gentle, precise, and designed with your comfort in mind.