Surface quality of human corneal SMILE lenticules with comparison to microkeratome free caps

Session Details

Session Title: SMILE: Small Intrastromal Lenticule Extraction I

Session Date/Time: Sunday 11/09/2016 | 08:00-10:00

Paper Time: 09:26

Venue: Hall H1

First Author: : I.Osman EGYPT

Co Author(s): :    H. Abouzeid   M. Abdalla   A. Elmassry              

Abstract Details

Purpose:

Compare electron microscopic morphologic pictures of the posterior surface of corneal lenticules removed during femtosecond laser small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) with free corneal caps created with mechanical microkeratome.

Setting:

Roayah Vision Correction Center and Faculty of Science Alexandria University

Methods:

Retrospective comparative study of human eyes, 30 human corneal lenticules from SMILE refractive procedure using the 500 kHz VisuMax femtosecond laser, and 20 cadaveric donors corneas that were cut creating free caps using the Moria M2 microkeratome. Specimens examined by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). JEOL JSM-5300LV scanning electron microscope was used for observations. New scoring system was used in comparison.

Results:

Surface and edge of SMILE lenticules showed more roughness in form of tissue bridges, dome shaped elevations, more cavitational changes and tiny tissue fragments than undersurface of free corneal microkeratome caps, difference was not statistically significant on SEM (p=0.40654).

Conclusions:

SMILE induces surface roughness and structural changes that is more pronounced than those induced by the microkeratome. Observed changes may cause surgically induced optical aberrations. Energy settings still needs further adjustment to be able to create reproducible, predictable smooth surfaces in lenticules of SMILE cases.

Financial Disclosure:

... receives consulting fees, retainer, or contract payments from a company producing, developing or supplying the product or procedure presented