Ikhyun Jun1,2, David Sung Yong Kang3, Cynthia J Roberts4, Hun Lee5, Seung Ki Jean3, Eung Kweon Kim2,6, Kyoung Yul Seo1, Tae-Im Kim1,2. 1. The Institute of Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. 2. Corneal Dystrophy Research Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. 3. Eyereum Eye Clinic, Seoul, Republic of Korea. 4. Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences and Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA. 5. Department of Ophthalmology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. 6. Saevit Eye Hospital, Goyang-Si, Gyeonggi-Do, Republic of Korea.
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes and corneal biomechanical changes between 120-µm and 140-µm cap thickness after small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE). Methods: This prospective study included 150 eyes (150 patients: 91 eyes in the 120-µm group, and 59 eyes in the 140-µm group) who underwent SMILE. Enhanced correction nomograms were applied for patients according to cap thickness. Clinical outcomes, including visual acuity, refraction, and corneal wavefront aberrations, were compared between the two groups. Corneal biomechanics were evaluated using the Corvis ST (Oculus, Wetzlar, Germany). Results: The mean uncorrected-distance visual acuity, safety and efficacy indices, and refractive predictability were comparable in the 120-µm and 140-µm groups after SMILE. The postoperative total corneal root mean square higher-order aberrations (HOAs) and spherical aberrations was 0.48 ± 0.31 and 0.26 ± 0.10 in the 120-µm group, and 0.53 ± 0.16 and 0.34 ± 0.13 in the 140-µm group, which showed significant differences between the two groups (P = 0.027, and <0.001, respectively). Although corneal stiffness decreased after SMILE in both groups, the changes in the deformation amplitude ratio were significantly higher in the 140-µm group than in the 120-µm group (P = 0.022). Conclusions: SMILE with 120-µm and 140-µm cap thickness provided excellent predictable outcomes according to our enhanced correction nomogram. The amount of tissue removal required to achieve the same amount of refractive correction was greater in the thicker cap group. The induction of corneal HOAs and weakening of corneal biomechanics were less pronounced in the thin-cap group, which may be associated with the thinner cap, lesser lenticule thickness, or thicker residual stromal bed. Translational Relevance: Although SMILE with different cap thickness was effective, thicker lenticule thickness in the thick-cap group may be associated with induction of HOAs, and corneal stiffness changes.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes and corneal biomechanical changes between 120-µm and 140-µm cap thickness after small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE). Methods: This prospective study included 150 eyes (150 patients: 91 eyes in the 120-µm group, and 59 eyes in the 140-µm group) who underwent SMILE. Enhanced correction nomograms were applied for patients according to cap thickness. Clinical outcomes, including visual acuity, refraction, and corneal wavefront aberrations, were compared between the two groups. Corneal biomechanics were evaluated using the Corvis ST (Oculus, Wetzlar, Germany). Results: The mean uncorrected-distance visual acuity, safety and efficacy indices, and refractive predictability were comparable in the 120-µm and 140-µm groups after SMILE. The postoperative total corneal root mean square higher-order aberrations (HOAs) and spherical aberrations was 0.48 ± 0.31 and 0.26 ± 0.10 in the 120-µm group, and 0.53 ± 0.16 and 0.34 ± 0.13 in the 140-µm group, which showed significant differences between the two groups (P = 0.027, and <0.001, respectively). Although corneal stiffness decreased after SMILE in both groups, the changes in the deformation amplitude ratio were significantly higher in the 140-µm group than in the 120-µm group (P = 0.022). Conclusions: SMILE with 120-µm and 140-µm cap thickness provided excellent predictable outcomes according to our enhanced correction nomogram. The amount of tissue removal required to achieve the same amount of refractive correction was greater in the thicker cap group. The induction of corneal HOAs and weakening of corneal biomechanics were less pronounced in the thin-cap group, which may be associated with the thinner cap, lesser lenticule thickness, or thicker residual stromal bed. Translational Relevance: Although SMILE with different cap thickness was effective, thicker lenticule thickness in the thick-cap group may be associated with induction of HOAs, and corneal stiffness changes.