Comparison of Flap Characteristics Created with Two Different Methods in Laser in Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK)

Analysis of the Effectiveness of SMILE, FS-LASIK, and SBK in Myopic Patients and the Impact in UCVA and Tear Film Stability

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of femtosecond laser small incision stromal lens extraction (SMILE), femtosecond laser-assisted excimer laser keratomileusis (FS-LASIK), and anterior elastic sublaminar laser keratomileusis (SBK) in myopic patients, and their effects on uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) and tear film stability. 600 myopic patients admitted to our hospital from January 2020 to December 2021 were selected for the study and divided into SMILE group (200 patients, SMILE treatment), FS-LASIK group (200 patients, FS-LASIK treatment), and SBK group (200 patients, SBK treatment) according to the random number table method. Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), tear breakup time (BUT), tear secretion function test (Sit), and corneal higher-order image aberration global higher-order aberration (HOAS) were compared among the three groups. The UCVA values before operation, 2 weeks after operation, 1 month after operation, and 3 months after operation in the three groups were similar, and the BUT, Sit value, and HOAS of corneal higher-order image difference in the three groups were similar, and the differences were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The BUT, Sit value, and HOAS of corneal higher-order image difference at 1 and 3 months after surgery in the SMILE group were higher than those in the FS-LASIK and SBK groups, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). SMILE, FS-LASIK, and SBK are effective in the treatment of myopia, which can effectively improve the uncorrected visual acuity and help the patients to recover their normal visual ability, but SMILE is more effective in tear film stability and corneal higher-order aberrations.