Abstract
Purpose :
To evaluate the outcomes of 4 low laser energy levels after small-incision lenticule extraction surgery (SMILE).
Methods :
This study consisted of 62 consecutive patients (40 women and 22 men, 124 eyes) who received SMILE surgery for the correction of myopia and myopia with astigmatism. Thirty-one eyes of each group underwent SMILE surgery with different laser energy levels (Group 1to 4: 105nJ, 110nJ, 115nJ and 120nJ respectively). All patients received a thorough ophthalmic examination over 3 months. Black areas and surface regularity of extracted lenticules were observed and evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively.
Results :
The occurrence rates of black areas were 45.16%, 12.90%, 16.13% and 12.90% for 105nJ to 120nJ respectively, and the mean proportion of black areas in 105nJ was the largest. Average surgery time for lenticule was the longest in 105nJ (P=0.015). Postoperative corneal thickness thickened mostly at 105nJ (P<0.05). Regression was highest in the 105nJ group at 3 months (P<0.01). However, corneal horizontal coma (C8) of 105nJ achieved in the lowest value at 1 week (P=0.032). The lenticular surface of 110nJ was the smoothest (P=0.011). All contrast sensitivity (CS) value varied with time, and recovered to pre-operative level at 1 week or 1 month. All UDVA and CDVA were good and there were no significant statistical differences between them.
Conclusions :
105nJ as the lowest energy had the highest chance of inducing black areas and causing the serious postoperative corneal edema and healing response.
This is a 2020 ARVO Annual Meeting abstract.