Empire Eye and Laser Center is proud to be the first and only practice in Bakersfield, California, to offer the advanced SMILE Pro (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) procedure, a minimally invasive, second-generation LASIK alternative performed with the most advanced ZEISS laser, the ZEISS VISUMAX 800.
This advanced flapless laser treatment to correct myopia (nearsightedness) and astigmatism has helped millions of patients around the world achieve clearer vision and eliminate their dependence on glasses or contact lenses.
Voted Best Ophthalmologists 5 Years in a Row
Is Your Vision Holding You Back?
Foggy glasses on a cool morning. Losing a contact lens at the beach. The constant worry of breaking your frames during a game. For our patients in Bakersfield, these daily frustrations are all too real.
Your active lifestyle deserves vision that can keep up. You deserve to hike, swim, and live without these limitations. ZEISS SMILE Pro offers a path to that freedom; a minimally invasive solution designed so you can focus on your life, not on what’s helping you see it.
FIND OUT IF YOU’RE A CANDIDATE FOR A CHANCE TO
WIN A FREE VISION PRO PROCEDURE
OR TAKE ADVANTAGE OF AS LITTLE AS
0% FINANCING
FOR UP TO 24 MONTHS
The start of a new year is the perfect time to focus on your goals and the way you see the world. If you have been thinking about life without the daily hassle of glasses or contact lenses, our New Year, New Vision Giveaway is the sign you have been waiting for.
We are celebrating the arrival of ZEISS SMILE Pro in Bakersfield by giving ONE LUCKY CANDIDATE this life-changing procedure FOR FREE. From now through February 12, you have the opportunity to find out if SMILE is right for you and be entered for a chance to experience our most advanced vision correction technology at no cost.
Two Great Ways to Save
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Enter to Win: Schedule and attend your free consultation by February 12 to be entered in our giveaway.
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0% Financing: If you are not the giveaway winner, you can still take advantage of Cherry financing as low as 0% for up to 24 months to help make the vision you’ve always wanted fit your budget.
Don’t Wait for Clarity
The winner will be drawn on February 13th, so the window to enter is short, and our consultation calendar fills up quickly. Take control of your vision today and give yourself something to smile about this year.
REQUEST A FREE CONSULTATION
Offer Terms & Restrictions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. Void where prohibited by law. Sweepstakes ends 2/12/2026. Winner will be drawn and notified on 2/13/2026. This sweepstake is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Meta, Facebook, or Instagram. Individual results and experiences may vary. By participating, you agree to be bound by the official rules at empireeyeandlaser.com/sweepstakesrules/. 0% APR and other promotional rates subject to eligibility through Cherry Financing. Exact terms and APR depend on credit score and other factors. Down payment in the amount of monthly payment will be due at the time of purchase. Call 661.88.LASIK for full details.
Why Choose SMILE Pro at Empire?
Experience the most advanced laser vision correction in Bakersfield.
A Minimally Invasive, Flapless Procedure
SMILE is a “flapless” procedure. Unlike LASIK, it only creates tiny incision, about 80% smaller than a LASIK flap, to gently remove a small piece of corneal tissue (a lenticule) and correct your vision.
Quicker, More Comfortable Recovery
Because there is no flap and less disruption to the eye, patients often report a more comfortable experience and can typically return to their active lifestyle (including sports and swimming) sooner than with other procedures.
Reduced Risk of Dry Eye Symptoms
Because there is no flap, SMILE preserves more of the eye’s corneal nerves, which play an important role in tear production. This means SMILE may lead to fewer post-operative dry eye symptoms compared to other procedures.
World-Class Care, Right Here in Bakersfield
Get one of the most advanced vision correction procedures available without the drive to Los Angeles. Your entire journey, from your first consultation to your procedure and all follow-up care, takes place locally at our state-of-the-art center.
Am I a Good Candidate for SMILE Pro?
Millions of people worldwide are already enjoying improved vision thanks to this game-changing procedure. You may be a candidate for SMILE if you:
- Are over the age of 21
- Have a stable prescription for nearsightedness and/or astigmatism:
- Myopia (Nearsightedness): -1.00 to -10.00 Diopters
- Astigmatism: –0.75 to –3.00 Diopters
- Minimum of one year prescription stability ±0.50 Diopters
- Have healthy eyes free from retinal problems or other eye diseases
The only way to know for sure is to schedule a free, comprehensive SMILE consultation.
SMILE vs. LASIK: What's the Difference?
Both SMILE and LASIK are excellent, safe, and effective procedures. The main difference is the technique. LASIK creates a circular “flap” on the cornea. SMILE is a flapless, minimally invasive procedure. This key difference makes SMILE a compelling LASIK alternative for many Bakersfield patients, especially those with active lifestyles, a tendency toward dry eye, or thinner corneas.
Advanced Technology: The ZEISS VisuMax 800
Empire Eye and Laser Center is committed to providing our patients with the best possible experience and outcomes, which is why we’ve invested in bringing the first ZEISS VISUMAX® 800 to our community. The latest, most advanced ZEISS femtosecond laser sets a new benchmark for laser eye surgery, allowing for a gentler, faster, and more precise treatment, with the laser portion of the SMILE procedure completed in just 10 seconds.
The SMILE Procedure: Your Journey to Clear Vision
1. Free Refractive Consultation
- Expect to spend about 1 hour with our Refractive Team.
- Tests and measurements will be performed to determine candidacy.
- Our Refractive Surgery Coordinators will discuss the pre- and post-operative process, cost, and payment/financing options like CareCredit and Cherry, and schedule the procedure and a preoperative visit with one of our Refractive Optometrists and Surgeons.
2. Preoperative Visit
- Expect to spend about 2.5 hours with our Refractive Team.
- To achieve optimal refractive and visual outcomes and to minimize the effects of measurement variability, a second set of tests and measurements will be performed.
- Dr. Huggins or Dr. Albert, one of our Refractive Optometrists, will meet with you, perform an examination, determine your candidacy, and discuss risks, benefits, and possible limitations of refractive surgery.
- You will meet with your Refractive Surgeon, Dr. Chang or Dr. Kao, to discuss findings and finalize your surgical plan.
- Your Refractive Surgery Coordinator will review preoperative instructions, finalize prescriptions, and answer any additional questions. A third visit will be scheduled if additional measurements are needed.
3. Day of Surgery
- SMILE Pro is an outpatient procedure, and you can expect to spend about 1 hour at our office.
- Preoperative medications, numbing drops, and sedatives help ensure your comfort during the procedure.
- From start to finish, the procedure takes about 20 minutes, though the laser itself only takes about 10 seconds per eye to do its job.
- Using the ZEISS VISUMAX 800, your surgeon will gently create a thin, contact-lens-shaped layer just beneath the surface of the eye and remove it through a tiny opening.
- Your vision may fluctuate immediately after the procedure, and you will need a friend or family member to drive you home after the procedure.
- After giving your eyes a few hours of rest, you should start to notice an improvement in your vision.
4. Recovery and Postoperative Visits
- Many patients enjoy an even faster and more comfortable recovery period than after LASIK, and most return to work and all of their favorite activities the very next day.
- Vision continues to improve over several weeks as your eyes heal, and you will return to our office for a few follow-up visits so our doctors can make sure your recovery is progressing as expected.
Your Questions About SMILE Pro Laser Vision Correction, Answered
Our team of SMILE Pro experts is ready to answer all of your questions about this life-changing procedure during your FREE CONSULTATION. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.
What is SMILE Pro vision correction surgery?
SMILE Pro, which gained FDA approval in 2024, is an evolution of the original SMILE procedure, with both procedures having collectively been performed over 10 million times in more than 80 countries.
SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) uses a single, highly precise femtosecond laser to create a small, lens-shaped piece of tissue (a lenticule) inside the cornea, which is then removed through a tiny incision to correct your vision.
How is SMILE Pro different from LASIK?
The main difference is the "flap." LASIK requires creating a flap on the cornea, which is lifted to allow a second laser to reshape the eye.
SMILE is flapless. It uses one laser and a keyhole incision, which preserves more of the cornea's structural integrity and nerve fibers, which may lead to less dry eye and a faster return to an active lifestyle.
Does the ZEISS SMILE Pro procedure hurt?
No. We use powerful numbing eye drops before the procedure, so you will not feel any pain. You may feel a light pressure sensation, but the procedure is quick and generally very comfortable for patients.The treatment is so gentle that most people say they feel nothing at all and consistently describe ZEISS SMILE as very comfortable both during and after the procedure.
What is the recovery time for SMILE Pro?
Recovery is remarkably fast. Most patients experience clearer vision within the first 24-48 hours and can return to work, driving, and most normal activities the very next day. We recommend waiting about one week before resuming strenuous contact sports or swimming.
Why choose Empire Eye and Laser Center for my SMILE procedure?
We are Bakersfield's most trusted eye care center, and for good reason. Our surgeons, Dr. Chang and Dr. Kao, have been voted "Best Ophthalmologists" 5 years in a row and have been the choice for local physicians, eye doctors, eye surgeons, and their families.We have served Kern County for over 25 years, use the most advanced technology like the ZEISS VISUMAX 800, and perform all procedures locally in Bakersfield - no driving to LA.
Does the ZEISS SMILE Pro procedure hurt?
No. We use powerful numbing eye drops before the procedure, so you will not feel any pain. You may feel a light pressure sensation, but the procedure is quick and generally very comfortable for patients.The treatment is so gentle that most people say they feel nothing at all and consistently describe ZEISS SMILE as very comfortable both during and after the procedure.
What are the risks or side effects of SMILE Pro?
SMILE is FDA-approved and has an extremely high safety profile. Like any medical procedure, it has potential risks, though they are rare. The most common, temporary side effects include light sensitivity, glare, or halos, which typically resolve as your eyes heal. We will discuss all potential risks and benefits with you in detail during your consultation.
Am I a good candidate if I have thin corneas or dry eyes?
This is a key advantage of SMILE. Because it's a flapless procedure that disrupts fewer corneal nerves, it may be an option for patients who were previously told they were not candidates for LASIK due to thin corneas or a tendency toward dry eye. A free consultation is the best way to find out for sure.
MEET YOUR BAKERSFIELD LASIK EXPERTS
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Bakersfield’s most experienced LASIK surgeons, serving Kern County for over 16 years
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Trusted by local physicians, eye doctors, and eye surgeons for their own vision correction
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Voted Best Ophthalmologists in the Bakersfield Californian five years in a row
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All procedures are performed locally in Bakersfield – No driving to LA
Experienced • Trusted • Local
YOUR VISION, OUR JOURNEY
When it comes to your vision, experience is non-negotiable. Dr. Daniel Chang and Dr. Andrew Kao are board-certified ophthalmologists and Bakersfield’s most experienced laser vision correction surgeons. They have helped thousands eliminate their reliance on glasses or contacts, including local physicians, eye care providers, family, friends, and staff.
Their expertise is recognized by the entire community, having been voted “Best Ophthalmologists” in the Bakersfield Californian five years in a row. Dr. Chang and Dr. Kao are dedicated to providing personalized, compassionate care to help you achieve your best possible vision, right here at home, and they’re excited to embark on the journey with you.
More about Dr. ChangMore about Dr. Kao
Join the Local Doctors & Patients Who Trust Empire
Your journey to clear vision starts with a simple, free conversation. See the world with a new perspective. Contact our Bakersfield office today to schedule your free, no-obligation SMILE consultation and find out if this life-changing, minimally invasive procedure is right for you.
