Features of change in the tear film and corneal epithelium after SMILE surgery

Session Details

Session Title: Presented Poster Session: Refractive Surgery New Techniques/Instrumentation/Devices II

Venue: Poster Village: Pod 2

First Author: : O.Pisarevskaya RUSSIA

Co Author(s): :    T. Iureva   T. Frolova   E. Balgirova   L. Khlebnikova              

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To assess the level of pathological changes in the epithelium and tear film in patients after refractive surgery performed by Smile and LASIK methods.

Setting:

S. Fyodorov Eye Microsurgery Federal State Institution, Irkutsk, Russia

Methods:

The first group was formed from 30 patients (60 eyes), refraction (-)5.4±1.69 D (p>0,05), operated by Smile method with Visumax laser using Fast mode. The second group consisted of 26 patients (52 eyes), refraction (-)4.25±2.59 D, operated by the Lasik method using standard technology. Methods of examination: OCT of cornea and lacrimal meniscus with the calculation of functional coefficient of surface tension of lacrimal fluid, Norn test, Schirmer test. For a comprehensive assessment of tear film and corneal epithelium condition, all examinations were performed before surgery, on first day after surgery, 1 and 3 months after surgery.

Results:

The thickness of the corneal epithelium was revealed: after Smile by 6.6%, after LASIK by 7.7% of the initial state. The maximum thickness of the epithelium of the cornea after the Smile was revealed in 1 month, after LASIK in 3 months. Functional coefficient of superficial tension of lacrimal fluid after Smile increased by 25.9% of baseline values, and in patients after LASIK decreased by 23.5%. The time of tear film rupture after the Smile was more than 3.0 seconds longer to 3 months than in patients after LASIK surgery.

Conclusions:

Changes in tear film and epithelial parameters in patients after Smile and LASIK in "mirror image" were noted. After Smile an increase in the thickness of the corneal epithelium was revealed in early postoperative period, after LASIK - at 3 months. After Smile there was an increase in functional coefficient of superficial tension of the tear film and the Norn test, after LASIK a decrease in these parameters was revealed. Thus, the operation Smile allows obtaining a high refractive result in patients with medium and high degree myopia, without adversely affecting the lacrimal film and the epithelium of the cornea.

Financial Disclosure:

None