15-Month Visual Outcomes and Corneal Power Changes of SMILE in Treating High Myopia With Maximum Myopic Meridian Exceeding 10.00 D

Long-Term Visual Quality and Pupil Changes after Small-Incision Lenticule Extraction for Eyes without Preoperative Cylinder Refraction

Purpose

To investigate the long-term changes in visual quality and pupil size after small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) for eyes without preoperative cylinder refraction.

Methods

Thirty-three myopic eyes (33 patients) without preoperative cylinder refraction were corrected using SMILE. Refractive outcomes, corneal curvature, aberrations, contrast sensitivity (CS), and pupil diameter were evaluated preoperatively, and 30 months postoperatively.

Results

The 30-month postoperative uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuity (UDVA and CDVA, LogMAR) were -0.10 ± 0.09 and -0.14 ± 0.06, respectively, whereas the preoperative CDVA (LogMAR) was -0.07 ± 0.05. Cylinder refraction of -0.11 ± 0.21 D (ranging from -0.50 to 0.00) was observed at 30 months postoperatively, increasing from the preoperative cylinder refraction of 0.00 ± 0.00 D (P=0.004). Moreover, the centroid coordinates x, y of corneal anterior astigmatic vectors were -0.19 ± 0.22, 0.81 ± 0.33 at 30 months postoperatively, and 0.02 ± 0.28, 0.76 ± 0.51 preoperatively (Px < 0.001 and Py=0.810, respectively). Furthermore, a 15° axis change in the mean anterior corneal astigmatic vector was observed at 30 months postoperatively from the preoperative state, as measured by Pentacam. At 30 months postoperatively, the photopic Log CS reduced significantly with glare at three and six cycles/degrees (P < 0.001 and P=0.015, respectively), a decreased photopic pupil diameter (3.27 ± 0.55 mm vs. 3.10 ± 0.66 mm, P=0.030), and an increased Coma (Z31) and Trefoil (Z3-3) at 4 mm diameter area analysis. However, a significant linear regression relationship was only observed between changes in photopic pupil diameter and changes in photopic Log CS with glare at 12 cycles/degree (P=0.038 and β = 0.282).

Conclusion

Slight cylinder regression was observed with thicker corneal lenticular extraction after SMILE correction of nonastigmatic eyes 30 months postoperatively. This regression was mainly because of the axis changes in anterior corneal astigmatism power. Therefore, a cylinder nomogram modification of 0.25 to 0.50 D is considerable for correcting nonastigmatic myopic eyes with a predicted spherical lenticular thickness over 100 µm.

Research Progress on Morphological Changes and Surgery-related Parameters of Corneal Cap in Small Incision Lenticule Extraction

Small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) is an "all-in-one" surgical method for refractive correction. An advantage of the SMILE over traditional surgery is that it depends on the corneal cap's design. This review discusses the morphological evaluation of the corneal cap, selection of the corneal cap with different thickness and diameters, influence of the corneal cap design on retreatment, and management of corneal cap-related complications. The following points should be recognized to define the correct morphology and design of the operation-related parameters of the corneal cap during SMILE: (1) the thickness and diameter of the corneal cap are predictable and influence postoperative visual quality, (2) the change in anterior surface curvature of the corneal cap should be considered in the design of nomogram value, (3) for patients with moderate myopic correction, early visual quality is better with a 6.9-mm than with a 7.5-mm diameter corneal cap, (4) there is no significant difference in visual quality or biomechanics among corneal caps with different thickness; (5) primary corneal cap thickness plays an important role in the SMILE retreatment, (6) a 7.78-mm diameter corneal cap has a greater risk of suction loss than a 7.60-mm diameter corneal cap, (6) if suction loss occurs when lenticular scanning exceeds 10%, then SMILE can be continued by changing corneal cap thickness, (7) preventive collagen cross-linking with SMILE caps are 90-120 μm thick and 7-7.8 mm in diameter, and (8) properly treating SMILE-related complications ensures better postoperative results. The data presented herein shall deepen the understanding of the importance of the corneal cap during SMILE and provide diversified analysis for personalized operational design of corneal cap parameters.

Long-Term Refractive Outcome of Small Incision Lenticule Extraction in Very High Myopia

PURPOSE

To assess the stability, safety, predictability, and efficacy of small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) in high myopia.

METHODS

The study was conducted as a retrospective noncomparative analysis of the records of 495 eyes of 270 patients treated by the ReLEx SMILE technique for a mean spherical myopic error of -12.84 ± 2.47 D (range: -10.0 to -14.0 D) combined with a mean astigmatism of -1.17 ± 1.34 D (up to -4.0 D). The mean LogMAR corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) was 0.2 ± 0.6. In this study, 225 patients had the bilateral SMILE procedure, whereas 45 patients had a single eye treated with SMILE.

RESULTS

One month after surgery, the mean refractive error was 20.72 ± 0.88 D (range: +1 to 21.5 D), and the mean postoperative astigmatism was -0.83 ± 1.04 D. The mean LogMAR UDVA was 0.2 ± 0.34. In the last follow-up visit, 3 years after surgery, all the before mentioned parameters were the same or within minimal changes with no statistically significant difference from the earlier results. However, the spherical error demonstrated a significant change from -0.72 ± 0.88 D at 1 month to -1.17 ± 1.01 D at the end of the follow-up. However, this change had an insignificant visual impact. At the end of the follow-up period, approximately 94% of patients had unchanged CDVA or gained one or more lines, 6% lost one line of CDVA, and 1% lost 2 lines.

CONCLUSIONS

SMILE may be effective and safe, with a stable and predictable outcome for correction of very high myopia.

Refractive outcomes comparing small-incision lenticule extraction and femtosecond laser-assisted laser in situ keratomileusis for high myopia

PURPOSE

To compare the long-term refractive effects of small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) and femtosecond laser-assisted laser in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK) on the correction of high myopia and astigmatism.

SETTING

The Eye and ENT Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.

DESIGN

Retrospective case series.

METHODS

Patients had SMILE or FS-LASIK for high myopia. Subgroup analyses of high myopia (-6.00 to -8.75 diopters [D]) and extremely high myopia (≥-9.00 D) were performed. The main outcome measure was refractive predictability, compared between SMILE and FS-LASIK groups. Secondary outcomes included efficacy, safety, and residual astigmatism.

RESULTS

This study included 121 patients (121 eyes: 75 in the SMILE group and 46 in the FS-LASIK group). No differences were found in terms of refractive predictability between SMILE and FS-LASIK in eyes with high myopia: 56% vs 58.7% achieved ± 0.50 D of attempted correction (P = .771) and 81.3% vs 76.1% achieved ± 1.00 D of attempted correction (P = .489). Efficacy indices of the SMILE and FS-LASIK groups were 1.02 ± 0.24 and 1.03 ± 0.24 (P = .742), respectively; safety indices were 1.23 ± 0.22 and 1.20 ± 0.24 (P = .324), respectively. Logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution uncorrected distance visual acuity and spherical equivalent in the high myopia subgroup were better than in the extremely high myopia subgroup after both SMILE and FS-LASIK (P < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

SMILE and FS-LASIK were both effective in correcting high myopia and myopic astigmatism. However, both techniques may require further nomogram adjustments when treating eyes with extremely high myopia.

Four-Year Outcomes of Small Incision Lenticule Extraction for Extreme High Myopia and Myopic Astigmatism

Purpose: To evaluate the long-term safety, efficacy, predictability, and stability of small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) for the treatment of high myopia and myopic astigmatism >−10.0 D.

Methods: This was a prospective study that incorporated 35 consecutive patients (35 eyes) undergoing SMILE from September 2015 to March 2016. These patients had a mean preoperative spherical equivalent refraction of −10.06 ± 0.64 D. Patients were followed over a 4-year period and assessed for outcomes including uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), manifest refraction, and corneal topography.

Results: At 4 years post-SMILE, respective efficacy and safety indices were 1.01 ± 0.19 and 1.07 ± 0.15. In total, 97% of operated eyes achieved an UDVA of 20/25 or better. ≥1 line was gained for 9 eyes (26%), with 25 eyes (71%) remaining stable. Twenty-four (69%) and 33 (94%) eyes, respectively, were within ±0.50 D and ±1.0 D of target refraction. From 3 months to 4 years postoperatively, a mean refractive regression of −0.22 D (−0.06 D per year) was detected, whereas no significant changes in mean corneal back curvature or posterior central elevation were detected (P = 0.617 and 0.754, respectively). We detected significant increases in higher-order aberrations (HOAs) of the anterior and total cornea (all P < 0.001), with spherical aberrations and vertical coma being particularly common, whereas posterior corneal HOA remained fairly stable (all P < 0.05).

Conclusion: SMILE is a safe, effective, predictable, and stable means of correcting high myopia and myopic astigmatism over a 4-year postoperative period.

Long-term Vector Outcomes of SMILE in Correcting Moderate to High With-the-Rule Astigmatism Under Astigmatism Axis Marked Condition

PURPOSE

To evaluate the vector outcomes of small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) in correcting moderate to high myopic astigmatism under astigmatic axis marked condition.

METHODS

In a prospective, longitudinal, interventional study, 71 eyes (71 patients) that had with-the-rule preoperative cylinder refraction exceeding 1.50 diopters (D) were corrected with the VisuMax femtosecond laser (Carl Zeiss Meditec AG) at Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center. Refractive outcomes and astigmatic vector were evaluated preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 30 months postoperatively.

RESULTS

At 30 months postoperatively, the efficacy and safety indexes were 1.04 ± 0.18 and 1.15 ± 0.17, respectively. The magnitude of the surgically induced astigmatism (SIA) (2.13 ± 0.71 D at 1 month [P_1m-pre = .018], 2.12 ± 0.72 D at 3 months [P_3m-pre = .006], 2.13 ± 0.69 D at 6 months [P_6m-pre = .010], and 2.19 ± 0.72 D at 30 months [P_30m-pre < .001]) was slightly higher than that of the target induced astigmatism (TIA) (2.07 ± 0.69 D). Only the y-coordinate of the SIA vector had a significant overcorrection compared to that of the TIA vector (P_1m-pre = .033, P_3m-pre = .011, P_6m-pre = .012, P_30m-pre < .001). The corrected index (CI = |SIA|/|TIA|) varied from 1.03 ± 0.07 at 1 month to 1.06 ± 0.10 at 30 months, which was higher when correcting moderate astigmatism than when correcting high astigmatism (P = .041) at 30 months postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

SMILE had long-term safety, efficacy, predictability, and stability when correcting moderate to high myopic astigmatism under astigmatism axis marked condition. Meanwhile, a cylinder overcorrection was observed due to the overcorrection of y-coordinate astigmatic power, which implied that the vector adjustment of the cylinder refraction nomogram should be considered. [J Refract Surg. 2020;36(9):585-591.].

Visual Outcomes after Small Incision Lenticule Extraction and Femtosecond Laser-Assisted LASIK for High Myopia

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to compare visual outcomes after small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) and femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK) for high myopia.

METHODS

In this prospective, comparative study, a total of 52 eyes of 34 consecutive highly myopic patients with spherical equivalent within the range of -8.00 to -10.00 diopters were recruited. Twenty-three eyes of 16 patients were in the FS-LASIK group and 29 eyes of 18 patients were in the SMILE group. Visual outcomes and wavefront aberrations were analyzed preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively.

RESULTS

At the postoperative 6-month visit, 96.6% in the SMILE group and 91.3% in the FS-LASIK group achieved unchanged or better corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA). As for uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), 96.6% in the SMILE group and 95.7% in the FS-LASIK group achieved UDVA of 20/20 or better. As for wavefront aberrations, high-order aberrations (HOAs) and spherical aberrations increased significantly after surgery in both groups relative to corresponding preoperative values (p < 0.001), and vertical coma increased after SMILE (p < 0.001). No statistically significant differences in changes of HOAs (p =0.90), spherical aberrations (p = 0.07), horizontal coma (p = 0.56), coma (p =0.08), horizontal trefoil (p =0.19), vertical trefoil (p = 0.90), and trefoil (p = 0.45) were detected between the 2 groups, except for vertical coma (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

SMILE is as effective as FS-LASIK in correcting high myopia, but attention should be paid to the induction of vertical coma in highly myopic patients following a SMILE procedure.

Review on Centration, Astigmatic Axis Alignment, Pupil Size and Optical Zone in SMILE

The advent of "flapless" small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE), employing all-in-one technology, has resulted in a revolutionary breakthrough in refractive surgeries. SMILE has been gaining popularity due to fewer potential complications, such as postoperative dry eyes and greater biomechanical stability, etc. However, attention must be given to 1) the centration on the corneal vertex, 2) the proper alignment of the astigmatic axis, and 3) the relationship between pupil size and treatment diameter, to achieve good SMILE results. There is no pupil-tracking system to ascertain the accuracy of centration during the SMILE surgery. To improve the centration accuracy, our center uses two corneal topographers (Pentacam and Sirius) to measure and determine corneal vertex. Proper predicted optical zone diameter is not clearly defined yet in SMILE. Some scholars insist that mesopic pupil size should be taken into consideration when setting the predicted optical zone. Meanwhile, the issue of "functional optical zone" still has many unresolved issues and warrants further studies.