SMILE
Considering SMILE Surgery?
Learn About a Safer Alternative at Park Avenue LASEK
Are you thinking about SMILE eye surgery to correct your vision? At Park Avenue LASEK, we understand the appeal of advanced laser treatments like SMILE. However, we also believe in providing you with all the information you need to make an informed decision about your vision correction options. We invite you to explore LASEK, a safer, non-cutting alternative that offers significant benefits compared to SMILE.
Understanding SMILE and LASEK: How Do They Compare?
SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) is a newer type of laser eye surgery that involves creating a small incision in the cornea to extract a piece of tissue called a lenticule. While SMILE is less invasive than LASIK, it still involves cutting into the cornea, which may carry some risks, particularly for those with thin corneas or higher prescriptions.
LASEK (Laser-Assisted Sub-Epithelial Keratectomy), on the other hand, is a non-cutting procedure. Instead of creating a flap or incision, the outermost layer of the cornea is gently loosened and the underlying tissue is reshaped using an excimer laser. This approach offers a safer, flap-free option for patients seeking vision correction, minimizing the risks associated with cutting into the cornea.
SMILE causes less dry eye that LASIK. LASEK has the least dry eye after the procedure.
Why LASEK May Be the Better Choice
No Cutting, No Flap: Unlike SMILE, LASEK does not require any incisions or flap creation, making it a less invasive procedure that preserves the integrity of your cornea.
Safer for Thin Corneas: If you have thin or irregular corneas, SMILE may not be the best choice. LASEK is ideal for patients who are not good candidates for other types of laser eye surgery due to corneal thickness.
Reduced Risk of Complications: Because LASEK does not involve cutting into the cornea, it significantly reduces the risk of complications such as flap dislocation, dry eye, or other issues related to corneal healing.
Better for Active Lifestyles: If you have an active lifestyle or participate in contact sports, LASEK is the preferred choice because it eliminates the risk of flap-related complications, providing greater long-term stability.
Your Vision, Your Choice
We understand that deciding on vision correction surgery can be challenging, especially with so many options available. At Park Avenue LASEK, our goal is to provide you with a thorough, honest assessment of your vision and help you explore all the possibilities.
SMILE is an effective procedure, but for many patients, LASEK presents a safer and more comfortable alternative, especially if you’re concerned about the risks associated with cutting into the cornea.
Book a LASEK Consultation to Explore Your Options
We offer consultations for those considering SMILE or other vision correction procedures to help you make the best decision for your eye health. During your consultation, we’ll assess your individual needs, explain the benefits of LASEK, and help you understand why it might be the better option for you.
Contact Us Today: Call us at (212) 741-8628 or fill out our online form to schedule your consultation. We accept all major medical and vision insurance plans, making it easier for you to access the care you need.
Why Choose Us
Most Experienced Eye Surgeon In The US
Dr. Chynn’s graduated from Harvard, Columbia, Emory, Dartmouth and NYU and has performed 1,000 PRKs, 5,000 LASIKs, 10,000 epiLASEKs, 15,000 LASEKs – more than any surgeon in the US.
100% Non-Cutting with No Flap Complications
LASEK is the most modern way to perform laser vision correction. Because it’s 100% non-cutting and 100% non-invasive, it’s 10x safer than LASIK. Dr. Chynn is the only surgeon in the world who has LASIK in one eye & LASEK in the other.
Medical & Vision
Insurance Accepted
Park Avenue LASEK is the only LASIK, LASEK, PRK and SMILE provider in NY, NJ, CT or PA who is authorized for all major medical insurance plans including GHI, Oxford, Cigna, BCBS, Emblem, Empire, Medicare, and Oscar (among others), as well as all major vision insurance plans, including VSP and EyeMed.
Nancy P
21:18 09 Apr 26
Dr. Chynn is truly exceptional—brilliant, precise, and an absolute expert in his field. From start to finish, the entire process was seamless, professional, and thoughtfully handled.I chose him for his deep experience with Asian eyes, and his expertise is undeniable. He understands the nuance and delivers results that feel both natural and highly refined.The non-cutting approach made the procedure far less intimidating, and recovery has been incredibly manageable. I’m beyond happy with my decision—he is genuinely one of the best at what he does!
Sara S.
16:04 09 Apr 26
The service was excellent and the staff made everything easy and comfortable. Highly recommend! Had my Orbscan done here
Diet Q.
17:23 30 Mar 26
Dr. Emil Chynn is a very nice Dr and treated me with upmost respect
Juan R.
04:31 25 Mar 26
Made me feel comfortable & explained the whole procedure. Highly recommended.
Morris B.
01:54 25 Mar 26
He's a nice guy
Jerron W.
19:01 24 Mar 26
Dr Chynn was very kind to me😃👍
Danny
17:01 24 Mar 26
Dr Chynn was very kind and gave me some free new things that were his mom's when she died:)
Veronica A.
21:09 23 Mar 26
I came to Park Avenue LASEK after being diagnosed with keratoconus — a degenerative corneal condition that disqualifies you from standard LASIK. Most practices turned me away or didn’t have a clear treatment path. Dr. Chynn was one of the few surgeons who actually specializes in cases like mine.I went through CXL (corneal cross-linking) to halt progression, followed by LASEK to correct my vision. The whole process was thoroughly explained at every step — no hand-waving, no vague timelines. Dr. Chynn is direct, clearly knows his stuff, and the staff was professional throughout.Recovery from LASEK takes longer than LASIK, but they were upfront about that. The results have been genuinely life-changing. As someone who was anxious about whether I’d ever see clearly again, I can’t overstate how much this meant.If you have keratoconus or were told you’re not a candidate for standard vision correction, this is the place to go.99% of eye surgeons only do CXL for KC patients, which helps their KC not get worse, but doesn’t help them see betterDr Chynn is the only eye surgeon in the NY Tristate region who can add LASEK to CXL, to fix most of the myopia and astigmatism in KC patients, allowing them to come out of scleral lenses & wear normal soft contacts, or in my case—nothing at all
Aryan S.
19:06 23 Mar 26
I went for a LASIK consultation at Diamond Vision but was diagnosed with Keratoconus. They didn’t bother referring me to a cornea surgeon; they just said it wasn’t safe to do LASIKI googled & found that Dr Chynn is the only surgeon adding LASEK to CXL, so I’d see better afterwards, instead of only “not worse”He accepted my insurance for the CXL & I had to pay a few thousand dollars for his special noncutting LASEK procedure. But I thought it was worth that to see betterNow 2 months after my surgery, I’m seeing even better than I was in glasses or contacts!Anyone who has KC & needs CXL, or anyone who can’t get LASIK should see Dr Chynn. So you can meet your desire to see BETTER, instead of just “not worse”
Keren A.
17:39 10 Feb 26
I had LASEK surgery performed by Dr. Emil Chynn at Park Avenue LASEK, and it was truly the best money I’ve ever spent.A colleague of mine who flew in from India to have the procedure originally told me about Dr. Chynn and said he is the best in the world at what he does — and after going through the process myself, I completely understand why. The results have been incredible.Dr. Chynn explained that recovery after LASEK is faster than PRK and avoids the night glare and dry eye issues that are common after LASIK. That has absolutely been my experience. My vision is amazing, and the recovery went exactly as he described.A huge shout out as well to Constantine, Gaddy, and Tetyana who made the entire process smooth from start to finish. The team is professional, responsive, and very organized.Follow the team’s directions thoroughly and I promise this will be the best money you ever spend. I can’t recommend Dr. Chynn and his team highly enough.Yes, Dr Chynn is a bit “strict” with both his staff & his patients, but that’s necessary for him to ensure the best possible visual results. He’s a big perfectionist, which is what anyone should want in their surgeonHe also gives every patient his cellphone and replies 24/7/365 to questions via a personal secure WhatsApp group. It’s a lot better than calling a medical office with a question, and maybe getting a call back a couple of days later—if at all
Dan
13:38 25 Jan 26
I had very bad vision and now can see fantastic 🤗I had a high prescription (-11) and a retinal tear, and Dr. Chynn took great care of me. Highly recommend LASEK Park Ave.
Nataliya L.
23:29 23 Jan 26
i had an extreme Rx of -12! so i was past LASIK parameters. my dad did a lot of research so figired out that i COULD get the non-cutting LASEK. i’m now 2 months out & legal to drive day or night. before my LASEK without my glasses, i could only see shapes, i wouldn’t even be able to see the big E. so anyone who was told that they can’t get LASIK should see if they might be able to get LASEK!;)
Nick F.
23:13 10 Dec 25
Dr. Chynn is excellent. I’ve been wearing reading glasses for awhile and now I’ll never need to wear them again. I’ll refer all my children, family and friends. Safest center in NYC!
Keral K.
22:15 10 Dec 25
I’m so happy that I discovered this place ! I got rid of my reading glasses which I didn’t know was possible. I’ll never need to wear reading glasses again. This was safe and not painful. I’d recommend it to any of my friends and family. Thank you DrChynn!
Curry P.
21:58 10 Dec 25
I’m in ortho-k lenses because that’s common in China so I came here for new ones. I lost a lens so they gave me a replacement soft lens for free. Eventually I’ll just get LASEK & forget about those lenses forever
Zhang Y.
20:22 10 Dec 25
Dr Chynn is clearly a very brilliant surgeon with a deep understanding of his field. I've struggled with redness in both eyes for many years, but one in particular has caused me more issues. Constantly gets inflamed at many different times every day, and when very red can be quite embarrassing. Dr Chynn seemed to be the only surgeon able to safely address red veins on the conjunctiva. I only had one area treated, I wasn't looking for perfection, only improvement, and it has definitely improved. Procedure is relatively quick - less than 30 minutes maybe - and didn't hurt due to the numbing drops. Would definitely recommend Dr Chynn if this problem really bothers you.
Rob
03:12 12 Nov 25
2 months out from surgery and I can see better without glasses now than I ever could with glasses. With my congenital nystagmus I’ve been struggling with my vision for years. So thankful for him and his team for giving me the care!
Diana
16:28 06 Nov 25
Dr Chynn is the best, he is most experienced and knowledgeable person, I ever meet. He is a wonderful person to work with.
Jignesh K.
21:35 03 Nov 25
So, I'm going to make this a comprehensive review so everyone knows what they're walking into. Firstly, without a doubt if you are choosing park avenue lasek you are doing so because you have an opportunity to work with the world's best eye surgeon. Dr Chynns credentials speak for themselves, let alone the fact his innovations mean in the 21st century we have access to an eye surgery procedure (LASEK) that covers any concern anyone might have had about traditional lasik, or the arduous healing time of regular prk.I had my lasek procedure a month and a week ago. My left eye is doing great, and my right needs some further correction. Is this a problem? No. I get free corrections for a whole year. The post-op care is beyond belief, any time and day of the week, I have a question or concern I've been answered by Dr Chynn or the sweet and amazing Dr D. Dr Chynn, figured out on my post op follow up yesterday I needed cautery as my eyes were losing tears (puncta was too large) - leading to very dry eyes. He did my right eye totally free of charge, and for the first time in years I woke up with a normal feeling right eye.Is it scary if your eye isn't perfectly corrected first time round? Yes. But, the service here covers that, and I know I'm going with the best procedure possible on the market in 2025. There are some concerns in negative reviews about how Dr chynn treats his staff. I'll just say that no doubt Dr Chynn is a total taskmaster and is meticulous about how his office is run. And is definitely wry and exacting in character, But, if you want to trust someone with your eyes, wouldn't you want to have someone be totally on top of their shit?All the staff in the office are lovely, Dr D is the yin to Dr Chynns yang, and divine has been the sweetest person to correspond with at the front desk.Looking forward to my final correction next month and thanks to the whole team for their care!BestGeorge
George W.
15:04 31 Oct 25
Still 20/20 17 years later! Just had my annual check-up…amazing!!Dr. Chynn is the best!
marlene L.
11:26 30 Oct 25
I am a physician and was looking into getting LASEK as I was previously told my corneas are too thin for LASIK. I found Dr. Chynn from a google search. He sees you personally for the initial consult, which is not something every practice does. The procedure itself was not as scary as I imagined it to be, and was over quickly. The cost was also cheaper than I thought, and you can finance it with CareCredit.I’m about 1 month out, and I have 20/15 vision, which is better than I was seeing in glasses/contacts. Initially had some dry eyes but that has mostly gone away, which is a side effect that is notably more prominent in LASIK. Would highly recommend this practice and this procedure!
Eric Z.
11:37 29 Oct 25
Dr.Emil William Chynn the best eye Lasek surgeon!He’s work life changing!Done the surgery and my life changed completely!I felt no pain and surgery was very quick and easy!Highly recommended for everyone Park Avenue Lasek!Because i had astigmatism and high precipitation and had big scar on right eye after herpetic ceratit disease none of the other eye surgeons was able to cure my poor eyesight!They been telling me that with this eye conditions it’s impossible to do laser surgery on my eyes until i found Dr. Emil Chynn and park avenue lasek!Highly recommended for everyone!!!Dr.Emil Chynn the best Laser surgeon in NYC!Thanks for making my life brighter Dr.Chynn and park avenue lasek team!
Iftikhor A.
19:59 22 Oct 25
Great experience with none cutting lasek. No dry eyes and I am seeing 20/20 now after 2 months post-op. Was recommended by my aunt who came 20 years ago, would still recommend for others!!
Jenna G.
16:21 15 Oct 25
Jared Z.
20:04 14 Oct 25
Dr. Chynn performed my eye surgery over a decade ago, and it went perfectly. Even 10 years later, when I reached out with a few questions, he was incredibly responsive—answering me on WhatsApp while traveling abroad for his birthday! Truly outstanding customer service and an exceptional surgeon.
Eva B.
22:40 06 Oct 25
Park Avenue LASEK is such an amazing place. I had severe dry eyes and an astigmatism. But Dr. Chynn changed all of that for me, he’s indeed a miracle worker! Thank you so much PAL Staff.
Brian R.
21:46 16 Sep 25
My entire experience at Park Ave LASEK with Dr Chynn and his team had been amazing. If - like me - you know you want to ditch your glasses/contacts but you’re nervous and stalling (I kept “needing to do more research”…), do yourself a favor and just pop into the Park Ave LASEK office. Hands-down one of the best things I’ve done for myself.What to expect: Dr Chynn is THE guy to go to for LASEK. Not only an amazing and knowledgeable doctor, but also incredibly thorough and kind.The team is AMAZING. My initial consultation with Tarek, the office manager, totally put me at ease. Divine, Brittany, Constantine, and Marissa are all so incredibly patient and friendly. And Dr Dovzhuk was amazing and so kind on the day of my LASEK. They really do treat you like family.Good to know before you go: if you’re not a WhatsApp user like me, download and familiarize yourself with it. It’s the offices’s primary form of communion.
Roger
17:28 16 Sep 25
Hello I came to the noncutting lasek office today they took care of me all the staff was amazing especially Britney & Marissa. They walked me through everything and answer all my questions about testing and recovery. I’m excited to learn more about laser vision correction and get rid of my glasses!
Mariama B.
14:42 16 Sep 25
Excelente atención fueron muy amables y su información muy acertada a la hora de recomendar lo mejor para el paciente
Darwin M.
21:16 12 Sep 25
Please go check out Dr. Emil Chynn for cross linking and / or Lasek. He is a great, very organized, well explained doctor who makes you have confidence in the process and procedure. Marissa , Tanya are amazing front staff, always welcoming with a smile and soft tone. I am glad I did the surgery !! Both cross linking and Lasek.They also help out very much with cost and insurance coverage !!
Christina A.
21:03 04 Sep 25
I had a wonderful experience with Dr. Chynn, who went beyond the extra mile to help with my particular issue. Outstanding guy, highly recommend his service!
Emily W.
20:17 04 Sep 25
I came for a Corneal Tattoo all the way from Jamaica! No doctor in Jamaica could do this. The process was absolutely great and I recommend anyone who is interested to come here as soon as possible!! Dr. Chynn is truly an expert in his craft and is doing things that no other doctor are doing! I’m very very very VERY happy with my result!
Henroy L.
19:45 04 Sep 25
As a patient my self, LASEK is safer than LASIK!
Jon A.
19:02 03 Sep 25
Just did my Pre op! I’ll be doing my non cutting LASEK surgery next week. Very excited. Will update when I’m done.
Angely V.
17:32 02 Sep 25
I’ve had several consultations with Dr. Chynn, starting back in 2007, and he truly stands out as both a trailblazer and a visionary in his field. His knowledge of refractive surgery (and beyond) is deep and panoramic, and he has personally contributed to innovative eye surgery techniques, and paving the way to the breakthroughs in the field, including the LASEK method.Dr. Chynn’s impressive academic background, with multiple top medical school diplomas, speaks for itself. What struck me most during my visits, however, was his attention to detail and the time he takes to ensure patients fully understand their options. He clearly explains the differences between LASEK and LASIK, and he’s refreshingly upfront about recovery, potential discomfort, and realistic outcomes—never overpromising.His office, conveniently located in the heart of Manhattan, is welcoming and professional, and his staff are kind and attentive. Even without having undergone the surgery yet, I can confidently recommend scheduling a consultation with Dr. Chynn if you’re considering vision correction.
Alexander R.
15:12 25 Aug 25
Dr. Chynn has gifted hands! He took his time to explain the procedure to me and convinced me why I should up my package. I was beyond scared and nervous on the day of surgery, but he offered me the comfort package which includes, FDA-APPROVED Ketamine and nitrous.Special shout out to the pre-med interns, Marisa and Divine, these ladies are beyond compassionate and took their time to explain the medication to me. Shout out to Dr. D, she’s charming and Tarek thank you for always being you.This is the only center that does 100% non-cutting procedures and I’m beyond grateful for my sight.THANK YOU DR. CHYNN AND PAL!
anonymous
19:19 21 Aug 25
Awesome gentleman , gave me some solid advice on a car purchase.
Chris T.
15:06 19 Aug 25
I did my surgery exactly 6 days ago and I am impressed with my results. I felt no pain in my healing process was great maybe because they follow all instructions to the tea. I am able to walk outside without my glasses and see perfectly fine something I wouldn’t and couldn’t do before surgery. My husband is so impressed he too will be doing the surgery. I do recommend Dr. Chynn, the entire experience was amazing and the staff is great, very caring. Thank you!
Rosa I R.
15:57 13 Aug 25
Very friendly staff, professional and curteous and filled with insightful information. Dr. Chynn is a complete expert at the Lasek procedure, which includes his staff Tarek, Balu, & Dr. Dovzhuk.Thank to his disingenuous I can move forward going into the military process
Rondie F.
22:34 07 Aug 25
I am so impressed with the expertise of the staff of Park Avenue Lasek, especially Constantin, he's a gem. Dr Chynn's breadth of experience instilled confience in ecery step of the process. Highly recommended. And the best part is that they were able to work with my medical insurance to help me cover the expenses.
Drew de C.
16:10 05 Aug 25
Three months post-surgery, and I can confidently say that getting LASEK at Park Avenue LASEK was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I had moderate astigmatism that made glasses and contacts a daily hassle. From the consultation to my final follow-up, the entire staff was professional, knowledgeable, and incredibly supportive.Dr. Chynn and his team walked me through every step of the process, explaining the procedure in detail and setting realistic expectations. What really stood out was their personalized care and emphasis on safety and long-term results.The recovery was smooth slower than LASIK as expected but, very manageable. By the third month, my vision is sharp and stable with no more halos or dryness. I now wake up seeing clearly for the first time in years, and it’s still surreal.If you’re considering vision correction, especially for astigmatism, I highly recommend Park Avenue LASEK. The non-cutting, flapless procedure may take a bit longer to heal, but it’s worth it for the safety and outstanding results.
Raheem H.
17:17 30 Jul 25
I came to Park Ave LASEK today to shadow Dr. Chynn as a Pre-med intern and had a fantastic experience learning about Keratconous, LASEK, and other various corneal conditions and treatments. As an Ophthalmic technician from a different practice, I was very impressed by the professionalism of the staff and the expertise of Dr. Chynn. Dr. Chynn is a fantastic doctor with the patients' best intentions always at heart. A patient today was referred for Keratoconous and needed crosslinking in order to enlist into the military. After further examination, Dr. Chynn determined that the patient did not in fact need to operate and conveyed that to his recruiting officer. He helped the patient avoid a permanent procedure that may not have been necessary. Based on my experience today, I certainly would trust Dr. Chynn with my future eyecare and highly recommend this practice.
Matt C.
19:13 29 Jul 25
Great friendly staff, amazing results, very pleased.
HRM X.
15:44 23 Jul 25
Dr. Chynn at Park Avenue LASEK made my dreams come true! I can finally see without glasses or contacts for the first time since I was 7! I chose LASEK over LASIK because of the complete no cutting of the cornea which Dr. Chynn has perfected over 25+ years. During my consultation, Tarek promised me the moon and the stars and he was completely right. I was extremely nervous going into the operation so I got the “comfort package” which really calmed me down. After the operation I contacted Dr. Chynn to make sure my eyes were healthy and he answered me within minutes, while his wife was in labor! Dr. Chynn and his staff of Dr. Dovzhuk, Tarek, Constantin and Marisa truly put the patient first. I cannot recommend him enough to anyone who is tired of glasses or contacts, even with a high prescription such as myself.
Tommy T.
22:40 16 Jul 25
I had some dry eyes And Dr. Chynn figured out it was some combination of lid mites and MGD. He treated me and now I don't feel dry and if anyone is on the fence about getting lasered and has dry eyes come to Dr. Chynn and get them fixed before getting lasered! He will even credit the money paid to the cost of the surgery and can get you 1000 off!!
sulaiman I.T. A.
21:11 09 Jul 25
Dr. Dovzhuk of Park Avenue LasekDr. Dovzhuk was an essential and unforgettable part of my surgery experience. From start to finish, she brought not only her medical expertise, but a sense of calm, warmth, and professionalism that made a powerful difference during a deeply personal time.She was incredibly attentive, kind, and genuinely caring. I could feel how deeply invested she was in my well-being and comfort throughout the entire process. Dr. Dovzhuk’s presence brought reassurance when I needed it most, and her energy was so grounding and compassionate.It’s rare to come across a doctor who balances such refined skill with sincere humanity. I am beyond grateful for her role in my journey — she deserves recognition all on her own.Thank you, Dr. Dovzhuk, for all you do!! You truly care about your patients.
Esther De P.
18:10 18 Jun 25
Get Directions to Park Avenue LASEK
102 E 25th St, New York, NY 10010