Evaluation of 2 Energy Pattern Outcomes in Refractive Lenticule Extraction and Femto-LASIK
Narrative Responses:
Purpose
Small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) treatment represents an alternative technique to treat myopic & astigmatic patients. Former studies showed a delayed visual recovery with SMILE in the first 3 month compared to Femto-LASIK. This study adresses the question, if an alternative corneal perforation pattern shows different results in visual recovery.
Methods
The current investigation presents comparative results of 60 eyes from 1 day up to 6 month after treatment. Results were analyzed by wave front analysis, subjective refraction and corneal flexibility. Patients were questioned for dry eye symptoms, comfort and recovery. For accurate quality evaluation we compared the results to a controll population, which comprised 70 eyes operated with FemtoLASIK.
Results
Concerning safety and efficiency of each method we could not detect significant differences. Both Laser treatments, either SMILE or Femto-Lasik represent state-of-the-art status of both parameters. All groups show a remarkable good visual acuity even after longtime periods (average < 0.05 logMAR uncorrected decimal visus, both populations). Visual recovery was as fast as with the Flap-based LASIK, when the new lenticule preparation pattern was used. Wave front analysis results differed between the old and new lenticule preparation method.
Conclusion
The alternative lenticule preparation energy profile clearly presents a big step in improvement of the SMILE technique. Visual recovery is fastened without any deficits in comfort and safety, which now clearly favours the SMILE technique in any aspects compared to the traditional FLAP-based LASIK.