Abstract
Purpose :
To identify the effect of deep SMILE (160µm Cap depth) on corneal endothelium cell density (ECD) and morphology.
Methods :
Retrospective, single arm pre-post study that included 30 eyes. During September-December 2020, 15 patients were identified as candidates for refractive surgery. Before surgery, measurements of endothelial cell density (ECD), coefficient of variation (CV) and hexagonality (HEX) were performed with specular microscopy. Follow up measurements of ECD, CV and HEX were repeated a week and month after SMILE surgery.
Results :
All patients were within the age range of 22-42 years. Paired T-Student tests were performed to compare preoperative and postoperative measurements for ECD, CV and HEX individually, at one week and month follow up. Mean values for HEX showed no change, while ECD (2971.2 vs. 2952.1, p=0.59) and CV (31.9 vs. 30.5, p=0.11) presented a slight non-significant decrease after a week when compared to preoperative values. Compared to basal measurements, follow up mean values after a month of surgery showed a small increase in ECD (2986.9 vs. 3008.8, p=0.49), CV (31.9 vs. 32.3, p=0.66) and HEX (64.1 vs. 64.4 p=0.79). The same pattern was identified comparing week one and month results for ECD (2952.1 vs. 3008.8, p=0.18), CV (30.53 vs. 32.2 p= 0.003) and HEX (64.2 vs.64.4 p=0.90). No complications were observed.
Conclusions :
Deep SMILE has no statistically significant effect on ECD and morphology. The 160µm Cap depth has no adverse effects on corneal endothelial cells and no correlation with the amount of myopia or astigmatism treated.
This is a 2021 ARVO Annual Meeting abstract.