The role of laser energy in small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE)

Session Details

Session Title: SMILE: Small Intrastromal Lenticule Extraction I

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

Paper Time: 08:06

Venue: Hall H1

First Author: : D.Donate FRANCE

Co Author(s): :    R. Thaeron                    

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To compare the visual outcomes with energy close to the plasma threshold and energy at the standard set up in Relex Smile surgery.

Setting:

Lyon, France

Methods:

A total of 486 eyes of 243 patients underwent SMILE and were subdivided into two groups depending on the laser energy settings: group 1 using a laser cut energy index of 36 (180 nJ, standard energy), and group 2 using a cut energy index of 20 (100 nJ, close to plasma threshold). A spot spacing of 4.5 µm was used in both groups. Safety, efficacy, predictability and ocular optical quality outcomes were evaluated and compared among groups during a 3-month postoperative follow-up.

Results:

Significantly better uncorrected (UDVA) and corrected (CDVA) distance visual acuity was found in group 2 throughout the follow-up (p≤0.01). A higher percentage of eyes with 20/20 or better UDVA was found in group 2 at 1 day, 1 month and 3 months postoperatively. At 1 and 3 months after surgery, no losses of 2 or more lines of CDVA were found in group 2, while in group 1 these losses were observed in 3.8% and 2.7% of eyes, respectively. Significantly better postoperative modulation transfer function (MTF) (p≤0.02) and lower level of higher order aberrations were found in group 2 compared to group 1 (p≤0.025).

Conclusions:

An energy level close to the plasma threshold during SMILE provides a faster and better visual recovery.

Financial Disclosure:

NONE