Objective: To investigate the perioperative experience after small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE). Methods: A semi-structured interview was conducted in 15 patients who underwent SMILE surgery in Zhuhai People’s Hospital.The data were collected and analyzed by phenomenological analysis. Results: The perioperative feelings of patients were summarized into five categories: concern, tension, pain, worry and relaxation. These feelings were compiled and extracted by Venn diagram. One patient had all five categories of feelings during the perioperative period. Three patients experienced four psychological feelings of tension, pain, worry and relaxation, and 2 patients had only nervous feelings during the full femtosecond operation period. Conclusion: Patients undergoing SMILE have avariety of experience feelings during perioperative period. Analysis of different feeling states and factors will provide evidence for ophthalmic medical staff to provide perioperative services for patients seeking SMILE surgery.