Comparative Analysis of Visual Outcomes and Complications in Intraocular Collamer Lens, Small-Incision Lenticule Extraction, and Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis Surgeries: A Comprehensive Review.

This review provides a comparative analysis of visual outcomes and complications associated with three prominent refractive surgical techniques: intraocular collamer lens (ICL) implantation, small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE), and laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). Refractive surgeries aim to correct myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism, offering patients an alternative to corrective lenses. The review highlights the importance of comparing these procedures to guide clinical decision-making effectively. Each technique is described, emphasizing its unique advantages and considerations. While LASIK remains widely favored for its rapid visual recovery and high patient satisfaction, ICL is suitable for patients with higher refractive errors or corneal irregularities. Although relatively newer, SMILE shows promise with potential benefits such as corneal biomechanical stability and a reduced risk of dry eye syndrome. However, each procedure carries its distinct complications, reinforcing the need for personalized patient care and informed decision-making. Understanding these techniques' relative efficacy and safety profiles is essential for optimizing outcomes and enhancing patient satisfaction. Continued advancements in technology and surgical techniques promise further improvements in refractive surgery outcomes, underscoring the importance of ongoing research and innovation.

Comparison of different corneal residual bed thickness after small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE).

PURPOSE: To evaluate the corneal biological parameters stability between the different corneal residual bed thickness (RBT) after Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE). METHODS: In this prospective clinical trial, 127 eyes of 64 patients underwent SMILE. According to the corneal RBT, the patients were divided into the 250-270 µm, 270-290 µm and 290-310 µm groups. Corvis ST (Oculus Optikgeräte GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany) and Scheimpflug camera (Pentacam; Oculus Optikgeräte GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany) measurements were performed preoperatively, 1 day, 1week, 1month and 3 months after surgery. RESULTS: The keratometer values among the three groups were no significant differences in postoperative periods (each P > 0.05), except the corneal thickness values (each P < 0.05). In the 250-270 µm and 270-290 µm groups, the keratometer and corneal thickness values were decreased at postoperative 1 week and increased at 1 and 3 months. The 290-310 µm group significantly higher posterior maximum elevation (PME) than the 250-270 µm group at 1 and 3 months (P = 0.022, 0.022, respectively), and higher preoperative thinnest point (PTE) at 1 week and 1 month (P = 0.013, 0.035, respectively). The PME of the 290-310 µm group was higher than the 270-290 µm group at 3 months (P = 0.045), and higher PTE at 1 week and 3 months (P = 0.022, 0.02, respectively). In all three groups, the maximal deformation amplitude (DA) was significantly higher at 1 and 3 months compared to postoperative 1 day and 1 week, and the IOP was decreased at 1 month then recovered at 3 months (each P < 0.05).The DA of the 250-270 µm group was significantly higher than the 290-310 µm group at postoperative 1 week, 1 and 3 months (P = 0.001, 0.01, 0.02, respectively). The change of the posterior corneal elevation and biomechanical parameters values were no significant differences among the three groups in postoperative periods (each P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The range of 250-310 µm RBT was safe and stable at the early postoperative of SMILE. The RBT may be positively correlated with the posterior corneal elevation.

Effect of small incision lenticule extraction on the treatment of myopia patients and the impact on corneal biomechanics / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM:To investigate the effect of small incision lenticule extraction(SMILE)on the treatment of myopia patients, and the impact on corneal biomechanics.METHODS:Retrospective study. A total of 120 myopic patients(240 eyes)who were scheduled to undergo corneal refractive surgery in Anyang Eye Hospital from January 2020 to December 2021 were selected. The patients were divided into SMILE group(64 patients, 128 eyes)and transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy(TransPRK)group(56 patients, 112 eyes)according to the surgical treatment method. The two groups were compared in terms of uncorrected visual acuity, corneal biomechanics, corneal endothelial cell count, posterior corneal surface height and corneal surface regularity index at 1, 7 d, 1, 3, 6 mo and 1 a after surgery, and surgical complications.RESULTS:The uncorrected visual acuity of the SMILE group at 1, 7 d and 1 mo after surgery was better than that of the TransPRK group(all P&#x003C;0.001), but there was no statistically significant difference between the groups at 3, 6 mo and 1 a after surgery(all P&#x003E;0.05). Compared with preoperative values, corneal-compensated intraocular pressure, Goldmann-correlated intraocular pressure, corneal resistance factor, and corneal hysteresis in both groups showed a first decreasing and then increasing trend after surgery. The corneal-compensated intraocular pressure, Goldmann-correlated intraocular pressure, corneal resistance factor, and corneal hysteresis in the SMILE group at 1, 7 d and 1 mo after surgery were higher than those in the TransPRK group(all P&#x003C;0.05), but there was no statistically significant difference between the groups at 3, 6 mo and 1 a after surgery(all P&#x003E;0.05). There were no significant changes of corneal endothelial cell count and corneal posterior surface height in the two groups after surgery(all P&#x003E;0.05). Furthermore, corneal surface regularity index of the two groups showed a first increasing and then decreasing trend after surgery, with no statistically significant difference between the groups(P&#x003E;0.05), and there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complications between the groups(P&#x003E;0.05).CONCLUSION:Compared with TransPRK, SMILE has less influence on corneal biomechanics, and better visual recovery in the early stage. There is no difference in long-term visual acuity between the two surgeries, and both have good safety and effectiveness.

Clinical effect of cross positioning method for correcting low and moderate astigmatism during small incision lenticule extraction / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of using the cross-positioning method for correcting low and moderate astigmatism during small incision lenticule extraction(SMILE)surgery with Alpins vector analysis.METHODS: A total of 50 patients(81 eyes)with low and moderate astigmatism with the rule ≤1.50 D who underwent SMILE surgery at the laser myopia treatment center of Xi'an No.1 Hospital from May 2022 to November 2022 were included in the prospective randomized controlled study, and they were divided into two groups according to the random table, with 25 case(41 eyes)in cross-positioning group and 25 cases(40 eyes)in control group. In the cross-positioning group, the patients' head position was adjusted based on the cross intersection lines before the standard SMILE procedure, aligning the lateral canthi with the horizontal line and the midpoint of the eyebrows and the nose bridge with the vertical line. Postoperative visual acuity and refractive results at 3 mo were observed in both groups, and astigmatic changes were analyzed and evaluated using the Alpins vector analysis method.RESULTS: During the follow-up period, 6 cases(11 eyes)in the cross-positioning group were lost to follow-up, while in the control group, 8 cases(14 eyes)were lost to follow-up, with 19 cases(30 eyes)and 17 cases(26 eyes)finally included in the cross-positioning group and the control group, respectively. At 3 mo postoperatively, the uncorrected visual acuity(UCVA)of both groups' operated eyes was ≥1.0, and no serious complications occurred, with no significant differences in UCVA, best corrected visual acuity(BCVA), spherical power, and spherical equivalent between the cross-positioning group and the control group(all P&#x0026;#x003E;0.05). The cylindrical power in the cross-positioning group was 0.00(0.00, 0.00)D, which was lower than -0.13(-0.50, 0.00)D in the control group(P=0.01). The vector analysis results showed that the difference vector(DV)in the cross-positioning group was lower than that in the control group [0.00(0.00, 0.00)vs 0.13(0.00, 0.50), P=0.01], and the index of success(IOS)was better than that of the control group [0.00(0.00, 0.00)vs 0.18(0.00, 0.77), P&#x0026;#x003C;0.01]. At 3 mo postoperatively, 26(87%)and 15(58%)eyes in the cross-positioning group and control groups achieved an angle of error(AE)within ±5°, respectively.CONCLUSION: The cross positioning method was used to calibrate the patients' head position during SMILE surgery, which reduced the axial position error and improved the accuracy of SMILE in correcting low and moderate astigmatism.

The effect of different angle kappa on higher-order aberrations after small incision lenticule extraction.

This study aimed to compare higher-order aberrations (HOAs) after small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) in patients with different angle kappa. This is a retrospective report in which 341 right eyes of 341 patients who were subjected to SMILE, which used coaxially sighted corneal light reflex (CSCLR) as the treatment zone centered, treated by the same experienced surgeon (LHB) for correction of myopia and myopic astigmatism, preoperative and postoperative spherical equivalent (SE), angle kappa, total higher-order aberrations (total HOA), spherical aberration (SA), vertical coma (VC), horizontal coma (HC), oblique trefoil (OT), and horizontal trefoil (HT), were compared. SMILE showed outstanding performance in terms of safety, efficacy, and predictability. In addition, a comparison of preoperative and postoperative HOAs exhibited the difference of total HOA (P < 0.01), SA (P < 0.01), VC (P < 0.01), and HC (P < 0.01), which was statistically significant; however, for OT and HT with the longer follow-up time, the statistical difference gradually decreased. For stratification of angle kappa into groups based on decantation, angle kappa was divided into three major groups: r < 0.1 mm, 0.1 ≤ r < 0.2 mm, and r ≥ 0.2 mm; the changes of SA (F = 4.127, P = 0.021) and OT (F = 3.687, P = 0.031) exhibited significant difference after 1 year of SMILE. We performed a correlation analysis of all preoperative and postoperative parameters, and the results indicated that the preoperative total HOA was negatively correlated with preoperative cylindrical diopter (DC), and postoperative total HOA, SA, and coma were affected by spherical diopter (DS) and SE. Moreover, we also found a significant difference of SA and VC in the early postoperative with preoperative. SA was positively correlated with Y values and r of 1 year after SMILE. All of the analyzed parameters in the three groups, except for the trefoil, gradually increased over time; however, the trefoil could gradually stabilize over time. We also divided angle kappa into four groups by quadrants; the result showed that the effects of higher-order aberrations were markedly different from the various quadrants. Patients with large angle kappa were able to increase VC and SA postoperatively, and higher HOAs were more significant in patients with high myopia. The differences in quadrants exhibited a diversity of HOAs; this could be attributed to the corneal surface reestablishment and the alteration of angle kappa, but the trend was not apparent. Although all patients displayed increased HOAs after SMILE, the potential application of CSCLR as the treatment zone centered still showed excellent safety, efficacy, and predictability.

Comparison of the Clinical Effectiveness of Correcting Different Types of Astigmatism with Small Incision Lenticule Extraction.

Few studies have reported the differential outcomes of Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE) on myopic astigmatism. Given this, we examined the effectiveness of SMILE for up to one year, comparing with-the-rule (WTR), against-the-rule (ATR), and oblique astigmatism, conducting a retrospective review of patients who underwent correction of myopic astigmatism using the 500-kHz VisuMax femtosecond laser (Carl Zeiss Meditec) at two refractive clinics in Poland between 2016-2017. Patients were aged ≥21 with stable refractive errors between -0.5 and -10.0 diopter (D) with astigmatism up to 5D. The mean age of the 209 patients (355 eyes) available was 32 years; 58.4% were female. Of these, 247 had WTR, 62 oblique, and 46 ATR astigmatism. The mean pre-operative spherical equivalent (SE) was -5.4 ± 2.57D and the cylinder -1.7 ± 1.0D. The mean SE for WTR reduced from -5.60 ± 2.37D to -0.31 ± 0.67D at 2 months and -0.38 ± 0.70D at 12 months; the mean cylinder improved from -1.90 ± 1.10D to -0.31 ± 0.39D and -0.36 ± 0.43D, respectively. Eyes with oblique astigmatism also improved from a mean SE of -5.8 ± 3.4 D to -0.82 ± 1.50D and -0.69 ± 1.15D and a cylinder of -1.4 ± 0.73D to -0.17 ± 0.33D at 2 months and -0.1 ± 0.32D at 12. For ATR, the mean SE improved from -4.0 ± 1.8D to -0.08 ± 0.22D and -0.04 ± 0.12D; and the mean cylinder from -1.25 ± 0.53 to -0.02 ± 0.09D -0.08 ± 0.21D at 2 and 12 months, respectively. There were statistically significant improvements in SE, manifest sphere and cylinder refraction, and UDVA and CDVA scores for each cylinder type at 2 months with ATR cylinders having better outcomes. Although missing data limited interpretation at one year, differences were maintained. The magnitude of error calculations suggests that WTR was more prone to under-correction, particularly for high astigmatism (>1.5D). SMILE for myopic astigmatism reliably corrects SE, irrespective of the subtype of astigmatism.

Intensive topical steroid regimen for enhanced very early recovery after small incision lenticule extraction.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the topical steroid regimen after small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) for its effect on very early restoration of visual quality. METHODS: A total of 180 patients (360 eyes) who underwent SMILE were enrolled. These patients were randomly assigned to three groups, with 60 patients in each group. The only difference among these three groups was the administration of 0.1% fluorometholone (FML) eye drops within two hours after SMILE: no FML in group A, 0.1% FML once every hour in group B and 0.1% FML once every half hour in group C. The corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), objective scattering index (OSI), modulation transfer function (MTF) cut-off, Strehl ratio (SR) and incidence of subjective symptoms were evaluated preoperatively, at 2, 4 and 24 h and one week after SMILE. RESULTS: The CDVA, MTF cut-off and SR values were significantly higher in group C, when compared to the other two groups, at 2 and 4 h after SMILE (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the OSI and incidence of subjective symptoms were significantly lower in group C, when compared to the other two groups, at 2 and 4 h after SMILE (p < 0.05). However, no significant differences in CDVA, MTF cut-off, SR, OSI and the incidence of subjective symptoms were detected among the three groups at 24 h and one week after SMILE (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The administration of 0.1% FML eye drops every half hour within two hours after SMILE accelerates the restoration of visual and optical quality, and reduces the incidence of subjective symptoms during the very early phase after surgery.

Subjective patient-reported visual quality after small-incision lenticule extraction and its correlation to the objective one.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to characterize the subjective visual quality and satisfaction following small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) and to identify its influential factors. SETTING: Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China. DESIGN: This was a retrospective observational study. METHODS: Patients who had simultaneous binocular SMILE for myopia and myopic astigmatism were included 6 months postoperatively, and the patient-reported outcome questionnaire was employed for the assessment of visual quality in real-life situations. Examinations with SIRIUS combined corneal topography and tomography were performed including the parameters of Strehl ratio (SR), corneal higher-order aberrations (HOAs) within 6.0-mm area, kappa angel, and thinnest corneal thickness. Decentration and effective optical zone (EOZ) were measured based on a tangential pre-post-operation difference map. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed for predictors of patient-reported visual quality. RESULTS: Clinical data from 97 cases were analyzed retrospectively. Overall satisfaction was 96.91% (94/97). Fluctuation in vision and glare is the most frequent and dominant visual symptoms. SR value increased non-significantly compared with preoperative (P> 0.05). A statistically significant (P < 0.05) increase in total HOAs, spherical aberration, and coma was noted. SR and HOAs were not correlated with the degree of visual symptoms (P > 0.05). No objective parameter was found to be associated with patient-reported visual quality after SMILE (P> 0.05). CONCLUSION: The high patient-reported satisfaction confirmed the ideal effect on visual quality following SMILE in real-life situations, though some objective optical performances were not satisfying. It is very tolerant toward patients' conditions and mild deviations, and this study did not find factors affecting visual performances.

Interface Fluid Syndrome Masquerading as Diffuse Lamellar Keratitis After Small Incision Lenticule Extraction.

A 34-year-old male with no past medical or ocular history underwent bilateral uncomplicated small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE). On day 1, uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) was 20/25 in the right eye (OD) and 20/20 in the left eye (OS). The intraocular pressure (IOP) was 12 mmHg in both eyes (OU). On day 17, UDVA was 20/70 OD and 20/30+2 OS. Slit-lamp examination (SLE) revealed diffuse 2+ haze at the interface suspicious for diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK). Topical difluprednate was added twice a day (BID). Vision decreased by day 20 with a significant myopic shift and 3+ interface haze OU. A washout of the interface was performed. Topical steroids were increased with oral prednisone. One day after the washout, vision and interface haze improved. On day 3 status post washout, UDVA decreased to 20/70 OD and 20/50 OS. IOP was 42 mmHg OU. A diagnosis of interface fluid syndrome (IFS) was confirmed. All steroids were stopped while adding ocular hypotensive medication. One month later, visual acuity was 20/20 OU with a complete resolution of interface haze. Only a handful of IFS has been documented in SMILE, an incidence that may increase as SMILE becomes more common. Among all SMILE cases, IFS was most commonly associated with steroid-induced ocular hypertension and a myopic shift around 21 days postoperatively. A fluid cleft at the interface may not always be visible with SLE, masquerading as DLK. Scheimpflug densitometry and anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) may aid in quantifying interface edema needed to confirm a diagnosis when IOP is unclear. A corneal washout can immediately improve corneal edema, but the preferred treatment is discontinuing all steroid medication and starting glaucoma drops.

The dynamic changes and influencing factors of visual symptoms after small incision lenticule extraction.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the dynamic changes and influencing factors of visual symptoms after small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE). METHODS: This was a prospective observational study. Visual symptoms including glare, haloes, starbursts, hazy vision, fluctuation, blurred vision, double vision and focusing difficulties were evaluated before and 1, 3, 6 months after SMILE using a questionnaire. Generalized linear mixed models were used to assess the effects of preoperative characteristics and objective visual quality parameters on postoperative visual symptoms. RESULTS: 73 patients/146 eyes were enrolled. Preoperatively, the most common symptoms were glare (55% of eyes), haloes (48%), starbursts (44%) and blurred vision (37%). At 1 month postoperatively, the incidence and extent scores of glare, haloes, hazy vision and fluctuation rose significantly. At 3 months, the incidence and extent scores of glare, haloes and hazy vision restored to baseline. And at 6 months, the extent scores of fluctuation returned to baseline. Other symptoms (e.g., starbursts) did not change before and 1, 3, 6 months after SMILE. Preoperative visual symptoms were associated with postoperative symptoms, as patients with a symptom preoperatively had higher postoperative scores for that symptom. Age was related to postoperative extent of double vision (coefficient = 0.12, P = 0.046). There were no significant associations between postoperative visual symptoms and preoperative SE, scotopic pupil size, angle kappa (with intraoperative adjustment), postoperative HOAs or scattering indexes. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence and extent scores of hazy vision, glare, haloes and fluctuation increased at the first month after SMILE, and recovered to baseline at 3 or 6 months. Preoperative visual symptoms were associated with the postoperative symptoms and should be fully considered before SMILE.

Analysis of the correlation between biomechanical properties and corneal densitometry in myopic eyes.

Background: To investigate the correlation between corneal biomechanical characteristics (in vitro and in vivo) and corneal densitometry in myopia. Methods: The Pentacam (Oculus, Wetzlar, Germany) corneal densitometry (CD) and Corvis ST (Oculus, Wetzlar, Germany) exams were conducted prior to surgery for myopic patients who were intended to undergo small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE). CD values (grayscale units, GSUs), and in vivo biomechanical parameters were obtained. The stromal lenticule was subjected to a uniaxial tensile test to obtain the elastic modulus E in vitro. We exam the correlations among in vivo, in vitro biomechanical characteristics and CD values. Results: In this study, 37 myopic patients (63 eyes) were included. The mean age of participants was 25.14 ± 6.74 years (range:16-39 years). The mean CD values of the total cornea, anterior layer, intermediate layer, posterior layer, 0-2 mm region and 2-6 mm region were 15.03 ± 1.23 GSU, 20.35 ± 1.98 GSU, 11.76 ± 1.01 GSU, 10.95 ± 0.83 GSU, 15.57 ± 1.12 GSU and 11.94 ± 1.77 GSU, respectively. Elastic modulus E (in vitro biomechanical indicator) was negatively correlated with intermediate layer CD (r = -0.35, p = 0.01) and 2-6 mm region CD (r = -0.39, p = 0.00). A negative correlation was also found between 0-2 mm central region CD and in vivo biomechanical indicator SP-HC (r = -0.29, p = 0.02). Conclusion: In myopic patients, densitometry is negatively correlated with biomechanical properties both in vivo and in vitro. With an increase in CD, the cornea deformed more easily.

Higher-order aberrations and visual quality after incision lenticule extraction surgery with intraoperative angle kappa adjustments between small and large kappa patients: A 2-year follow-up.

Purpose: To evaluate the postoperative visual outcomes, that is, corneal higher-order aberrations (HOAs) and visual quality, of patients with an angle kappa greater than 0.30 mm who underwent angle kappa adjustment during small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) 2 years after surgery compared to eyes with an angle kappa less than 0.30 mm. Methods: This was a retrospective study and included 12 patients from October 2019 to December 2019 who underwent the SMILE procedure for correction of myopia and myopic astigmatism and had one eye with a large kappa angle and another eye with a small kappa angle. Twenty-four months after surgery, an optical quality analysis system (OQAS II; Visiometrics, Terrassa, Spain) was used to measure the modulation transfer function cutoff frequency (MTFcutoff), Strehl2D ratio, and objective scatter index (OSI). HOAs were measured with a Tracey iTrace Visual Function Analyzer (Tracey version 6.1.0; Tracey Technologies, Houston, TX, USA). Assessment of subjective visual quality was achieved using the quality of vision (QOV) questionnaire. Results: At 24 months postoperatively, the mean spherical equivalent (SE) refraction was - 0.32 ± 0.40 and - 0.31 ± 0.35 in the S-kappa group (kappa <0.3 mm) and the L-kappa group (kappa ≥0.3 mm), respectively (P > 0.05). The mean OSI was 0.73 ± 0.32 and 0.81 ± 0.47, respectively (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in MTFcutoff and Strehl2D ratio between the two groups (P > 0.05). Total HOA, coma, spherical, trefoil, and secondary astigmatism were not significantly different (P > 0.05) between the two groups. Conclusion: Adjustment of angle kappa during SMILE helps reduce the decentration, results in less HOAs, and promotes visual quality. It provides a reliable method to optimize the treatment concentration in SMILE.

SMILE lenticule versus amniotic membrane graft (AMG) augmented with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for the treatment of perforated corneal ulcer.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of stromal lenticule obtained from small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) surgery versus amniotic membrane graft (AMG) augmented with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for the treatment of perforated corneal ulcers and compare the results between the two groups. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a comparative retrospective study that included 40 eyes with medium-sized corneal perforations, which were classified into two equal groups of 20 eyes each; group (A) was treated with SMILE lenticule graft and group (B) was treated with AMG augmented with PRP. Pre- and postoperative evaluations were carried out using both slit-lamp (SL) examination and anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT), including closure of perforation, complete healing, and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA). RESULTS: Complete closure of the perforation was achieved in both groups. However, healing was faster in the SMILE lenticule group than in the AMG with PRP group (P < 0.05). Complete healing was achieved in both groups: 100% in SMILE lenticule group and 95% in AMG with PRP group (P > 0.05). Both groups had few insignificant complications (30% in each), which were managed. CONCLUSION: Both methods achieved adequate healing of corneal perforations within few weeks without significant complications. However, the stromal lenticule obtained from small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) surgery tended to be safer with faster healing than AMG with PRP.

Comparison of objective and subjective visual quality after flapless laser vision correction for mild to moderate myopia: SMILE vs PRK.

PURPOSE: To investigate the differences in surgical results and the objective and subjective quality of vision (QoV) of patients after small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) versus alcohol-assisted photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). METHODS: Medical records of patients treated with SMILE and PRK were retrospectively examined. Visual quality, biometric parameters, Strehl ratio (SR), and corneal higher-order aberrations (HOAs) within a 6.0 mm area were recorded. The effective optical zone (EOZ) and decentration were measured using a tangential pre-post operation difference map. Subjective QoV and operation satisfaction were evaluated 6 months postoperatively using the Quality of Vision questionnaire. RESULTS: The study comprised 100 eyes treated with SMILE (preoperative mean spherical equivalent (SE), - 4.52 ± 0.81 dioptres (D)) and 69 eyes with PRK (mean SE, - 4.21 ± 1.25 D). Six months postoperatively, the EOZ reduction was significantly larger in the PRK group (P < 0.001). Decentrations were comparable between the groups. Regarding visual symptoms, monocular diplopia was more common following PRK (P = 0.02), and 98 (98.00%) SMILE-treated and 67 (97.10%) PRK-treated patients were satisfied with the QoV. Both groups demonstrated significant increases in total HOAs, coma, and spherical aberration (SA) at 6 months postoperatively compared to preoperatively (P < 0.001); these values were significantly higher in the PRK (P < 0.05) compared to the SMILE group. SR increased significantly only in the PRK group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Although EOZ was more consistent with anticipated treatment and HOAs were fewer in SMILE, high patient-reported satisfaction and good corneal optical quality were achieved in both groups, indicating that both SMILE and alcohol-assisted PRK are excellent options for mild to moderate myopia correction.

Comparison of Postoperative Safety, Efficacy, and Visual Quality after SMILE for Myopic Patients with Different Corneal Thicknesses.

PURPOSE: To investigate the safety, efficacy, and visual quality of small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) in different corneal thickness patients with myopia or myopic astigmatism. METHODS: This prospective cohort study included 191 right eyes of 191 patients. Eyes were divided into three groups according to preoperative central corneal thickness (CCT) (Preoperative central corneal thickness (CCT) was the group indicator.) There were 31 eyes in the thin cornea group (CCT ≤500 um (µm), TC), 94 eyes in the moderate corneal thickness group (CCT ≥501 um (µm) and ≤550 um (µm), MD) and 66 eyes in the thick cornea group (CCT ≥550 um (µm), TK). Comparisons in uncorrected (UDVA) and best-corrected distance visual acuity (BDVA), manifest refractive spherical equivalent (SE), preoperative mesopic/photopic contrast sensitivity (CS), ocular higher-order aberrations (HOAs) at a 6mm analytical pupil diameter, and visual quality questionnaires were made (performed) among the three groups during the postoperative six months. Subgroup analyses were made based on preoperative SE. RESULTS: The safety indices at six months were 1.15 ± 0.18, 1.14 ± 0.17, and 1.18 ± 0.17, respectively (p = 0.374), and the efficacy indices at six months were 1.07 ± 0.25, 1.12 ± 0.22, and 1.11 ± 0.21, respectively (p = 0.599). The postoperative SE was -0.07 ± 0.52D, -0.14 ± 0.38D, and -0.05 ± 0.46D after SMILE in the three groups, respectively (p = 0.376). No significant difference was found in mesopic/photopic CS, HOAs, and visual quality among different corneal thickness groups and SE groups. Postoperative SE and efficacy indices were the lowest in thin cornea eyes with ultra-high myopia (over -9.00 D). CONCLUSIONS: SMILE provides comparable safety, efficacy, and visual quality results in different corneal thickness patients. Those with myopia higher than -9.00 D had less efficacy after surgery, especially in thin cornea patients.

Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE) and Laser in Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) Used to Treat Myopia and Myopic Astigmatism: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.

PURPOSES: The purpose of this meta-analysis is to systematically compare the safety, efficacy, and predictability of small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) and laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). METHODS: This study covered the data searched from the PubMed, the EMBASE and the Cochrane Library. The Cochrane Handbook was also referred to as evaluating the quality of the included studies. In addition, this meta-analysis was performed using Revman 5.4 software. RESULTS: A total of 11 randomized controlled trails (RCTs) were included. The proportion of eyes with refraction within ±0.5D was higher in LASIK group compared with SMILE group (RR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.83 to 0.99; p = .04). The spherical aberration (SA) was smaller in SMILE group compared with LASIK group (RR, -0.12; 95% CI, -0.23 to -0.01; p = .04). There were no significant differences between two groups with regard to final mean refractive spherical equivalent (SE) (MD, -0.04; 95% CI, -0.12 to 0.03; p = .22), proportion of eyes losing one or more lines of corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) (RR, 1.14; 95% CI, 0.58 to 2.27; p = .70), proportion of eyes with uncorrected distance visual acuity (UCVA) of 20/20 or better (RR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.94 to 1.05; p = .71), postoperative mean logMAR UCVA (MD, 0.01; 95% CI, -0.00 to 0.03; p = .13), postoperative refraction within ±1.0D (RR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.98 to 1.02; p = .60), postoperative astigmatism within ±0.25, 0.5 and 1.0D (RR, 0.80, 0.99, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.35 to 1.83, 0.94 to 1.05, 0.98 to 1.02; p = .60, 0.86, 0.87), postoperative higher order aberrations (HOAs) (RR, 0.00; 95% CI, -0.16 to 0.16; p = .99). CONCLUSION: For predictability, LASIK was superior to SMILE. There were comparably safety and efficacy for the correction of myopia and myopic astigmatism in SMILE and LASIK. SA was smaller after SMILE than after LASIK.

Comparison of visual quality after refractive surgery between smart pulse technology-assisted transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy of 1 050Hz ablation frequency and small incision lenticule extraction / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To compare the visual quality between smart pulse technology-assisted(SPT)transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy(TransPRK)of 1 050Hz ablation frequency and small incision lenticule extraction(SMILE)for myopia and astigmatism.METHODS: A total of 138 cases(248 eyes)who received corneal refractive surgery in the Eye Hospital of Chengdu University of TCM were enrolled from July 2020 to January 2021. The patients were divided into TransPRK group(64 cases, 123 eyes)and SMILE group(74 cases, 125 eyes)according to the surgical method. The follow-up duration was 6mo. Strehl ratio(SR)and high-order aberration at 6mm pupil diameter measured by Sirius anterior segment integrated analyzer and LogMAR visual acuity were recorded at different preoperative and postoperative time points.RESULTS: The uncorrected visual acuity(UCVA)of TransPRK group was worse than SMILE group at 1wk and 1mo after surgery(all P<0.05), but UCVA was better in TransPRK group at 6mo after surgery(P<0.05). SR in TransPRK group was lower than that in SMILE group at 1wk and 1mo after surgery(all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in SR between the two groups at 3 and 6mo after surgery(P=0.968, 0.433). At 1wk after surgery, there was no significant difference in coma between the two groups(P=0.554). At 1, 3, and 6mo after surgery, coma in the TransPRK group was lower than that in SMILE group(all P<0.05). At 1wk, 1 and 3mo after surgery, the trefoil aberration in TransPRK group was higher than that in SMILE group(all P<0.05). At 6mo after surgery, there was no significant difference in trefoil aberration between the two groups(P=0.167). At 6mo after surgery, UCVA of TransPRK group and SMILE group were -0.13±0.05 and -0.11±0.08, respectively, which were better than the best corrected visual acuity(BCVA)before surgery(-0.07±0.05 and -0.07±0.05; all P<0.05). Furthermore, the SR of both groups was higher than that before surgery(all P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Both SPT-assisted TransPRK of 1 050Hz ablation frequency and SMILE can achieve better visual acuity after refractive surgery, while SMILE has better visual quality at 1wk and 1mo after surgery. However, SPT-assisted TransPRK of 1 050Hz ablation frequency has better visual acuity at 6mo after surgery than SMILE, and the coma is smaller.

Changes in retinal peripheral refractive status and aberrations before and after femtosecond laser-assisted laser in situ keratomileusis and small incision lenticule extraction / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To observe and compare the changes in retinal peripheral refraction and aberrations after femtosecond laser-assisted laser in situ keratomileusis(FS-LASIK)versus small incision lenticule extraction(SMILE)for myopia correction.METHODS: A total of 71 patients(71 eyes)with myopia who underwent FS-LASIK from October 2022 to April 2023 in our hospital were selected as the FS-LASIK group, and 80 patients(80 eyes)with myopia who underwent SMILE were selected as the SMILE group. All patients underwent corneal wavefront aberration measurement and multispectral refractive topography preoperatively and 3mo postoperatively, as well as refraction difference value(RDV)in the range of 0°～10°, 10°～20°, 20°～30°, 30°～40°, and 40°～53° in the annulus of the retina, which were recorded as RDV-(0°～10°), RDV-(10°～20°), RDV-(20°～30°), RDV-(30°～40°), and RDV-(40°～53°). The results of two groups of patients were compared.RESULTS: No significant differences were observed in RDV-(0°～10°), RDV-(10°～20°), RDV-(20°～30°), RDV-(30°～40°), RDV-(40°～53°)between the two groups at 3mo post-operation(all P&#x003E;0.05). Furthermore, the RDV-(20°～30°), RDV-(30°～40°)and RDV-(40°～53°)of the two groups at 3mo postoperatively were all significantly lower than those preoperatively(all P&#x003C;0.05). The changes in coma(horizontal)and spherical aberration(SA)at 3mo postoperatively were smaller in the SMILE group [0.106(0.056, 0.171)and 0.115(0.081, 0.182)μm] than in the FS-LASIK group [0.206(0.104, 0.355)and 0.197(0.128, 0.254)μm](Z=-4.170, -5.016, all P&#x003C;0.05). A negative correlation was found between postoperative SA and postoperative RDV-(10°～53°)(rs=-0.205, -0.181, -0.226, -0.244, all P&#x003C;0.05).CONCLUSION: Both FS-LASIK and SMILE reduced retinal hyperopic defocus in the peripapillary macular range of 20°～53° eccentricity, and the postoperative changes in coma(horizontal)and SA were smaller with SMILE than with FS-LASIK. There was a certain correlation between postoperative SA and postoperative retinal peripheral defocus.

Research progress of opaque bubble layer created in corneal stroma during femtosecond laser surgery / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

Femtosecond laser-assisted laser in situ keratomileusis(FS-LASIK)and small incision lenticule extraction(SMILE)are the mainstream corneal refractive surgeries at present. Despite efficacy, safety and predictability they have showed in refractive error correction, there are still complications relating to femtosecond laser, such as suction loss and opaque bubble layer(OBL), due to that the production of corneal flap or lenticule is dependent on the femtosecond laser. OBL is a complication that is unique to femtosecond laser surgery and the bubbles are generated from photo-disruptive effect towards corneal tissues which consisted of water vapor and carbon dioxide, and OBL gradually formed when the bubbles are trapped in the stroma. The bubbles can influence the intraoperative manipulation and postoperative visual quality. This review discusses the mechanism, grading, classification, and influencing factors of OBL and its effects on intraoperative manipulations and postoperative recovery, in the hope of providing reference and basis for further clinical studies.

Changes in corneal biomechanics after small incision lenticule extraction and femtosecond laser-assisted laser in situ keratomileusis evaluated by corneal visualization Scheimpflug technology / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM:To evaluate the changes in corneal biomechanics of patients with moderate refractive error after receiving small-incision lenticule extraction(SMILE)and femtosecond laser-assisted laser in situ keratomileusis(FS-LASIK)using the corneal visualization Scheimpflug technology(Corvis ST).METHODS:Prospective cohort study. A total of 65 moderate myopia patients(65 eyes)who were scheduled to undergo refractive surgery at the Ophthalmic Refractive Surgery Center of the Ningxia Eye Hospital from November 2020 to November 2021 were included in the study, and there were 30 eyes in the SMILE group and 35 eyes in the FS-LASIK group. The changes in corneal biomechanical parameters, including integrated radius(IR), inverse concave radius(ICR), deformation amplitude ratio 2mm(DAR2), stiffness parameter at first applanation(SP-A1), ambrosio relational thickness(ARTh)and the central curvature radius at highest concavity(HC-Radius)were observed by Corvis ST between both groups preoperatively and 1 and 3mo postoperatively.RESULTS: There were no statistical significance in biomechanical parameters between two groups of patients 1 and 3mo postoperatively(P&#x0026;#x003E;0.05). IR, ICR and DAR2 of each groups of patients 1 and 3mo postoperatively were significantly increased than those preoperatively, and SP-A1, ARTh and HC-Radius were significantly decreased than those preoperatively(all P&#x0026;#x003C;0.05). The biomechanical parameters at 1mo and 3mo postoperatively showed no statistical significance(P&#x0026;#x003E;0.05). In addition, a positive correlation was found between central corneal thickness(CCT)and ARTh and SP-A1 of the two groups of patients at 3mo postoperatively(FS-LASIK group: r=0.727, 0.819, SMLIE group: r=0.683, 0.434, all P&#x0026;#x003C;0.05), while a negative correlation was found between CCT and IR and ICR at 3mo postoperatively.(FS-LASIK group: r=-0.697, -0.622, SMLIE group: r=-0.447, -0.491, all P&#x0026;#x003C;0.05).CONCLUSION:For patients with moderate myopia, both SMILE and FS-LASIK can reduce corneal biomechanical stability. Both surgeries showed no significant differences in the effect on biomechanical, and the biomechanical has been stabilized at 1mo postoperatively. A correlation was found between postoperative CCT and ARTh, SP-A1, IR and ICR.