Posters

Suction loss during small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE): incidence and outcomes

Poster Details

First Author: A.Kirmaci TURKEY

Co Author(s):    Y. Yildirim   B. Kepez Yildiz   A. Agca              

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To investigate visual and refractive results after suction loss during small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) technique, and to describe management options.

Setting:

Setting: Beyoglu Eye Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Science,ISTANBUL,TURKEY

Methods:

All eyes that underwent SMILE procedure for treatment of myopia or myopic astigmatism, between May 2012 and January 2018, were included. Eyes that developed suction loss were identified retrospectively. The demographic data, eye laterality, preoperative and postoperative uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) and corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) values (Snellen), and the results of slit-lamp biomicroscopy examinations were recorded. Patients' manifest refraction values, topographical examination results, and corneal aberrations before and after surgery were analyzed.

Results:

During the study period, 1486 eyes of 782 patients underwent SMILE. Of the 15 eyes in which suction loss occured, 2(0.13%) was in lenticule side cut, 9(0.60%) in flap cut, and 4(0.27%) in flap side cut stage. After suction loss was observed, the procedure was stopped, continued after recentering and redocking, and completed without any further complications. Of the 15 eyes with suction loss, 9(60%) was among first 100 cases of the surgeon, and 6(40%) was observed in the remaining period, suggesting a learning curve. At the postoperative 12-month follow-up, UDVA and CDVA were 0.65±0.19 and 0.66±0.20, respectively.

Conclusions:

According to our results, the incidence of suction loss during SMILE is relatively low, and surgical experience decreases the risk. Even in cases with suction loss, good long-term visual outcomes can be achieved with appropriate management.

Financial Disclosure:

None