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Changes in Corneal Biomechanical Properties After Small-Incision Lenticule Extraction and Photorefractive
Siamak Zarei-Ghanavati1, Soheyla Jafarpour1, Samira Hassanzadeh2
1Ophthalmology Department, Eye Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Purpose:
The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare early corneal biomechanical changes after small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) and photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).
Methods:
The study comprised 74 patients eligible for refractive surgery, equally allocated to PRK (37 patients) and SMILE (37 patients). Corneal biomechanical properties were recorded and compared between the 2 groups at preoperatively and 3 months after surgery using a dynamic ultra-high-speed Scheimpflug camera equipped with a noncontact tonometer.
Results:
Both procedures significantly affected corneal biomechanical properties at 3 months after surgery. Patients in the PRK group showed significantly better results for deformation amplitude ratio (DA ratio) ( P = 0.03), maximum inverse radius (InvRadMax) ( P = 0.02), and A2 time ( P = 0.03). The mean changes in DA ratio, HC radius, InvRadMax, and Ambrosio relational thickness were significantly higher in the SMILE group in comparison with those of the PRK group (all, P < 0.05). In both groups, change in CCT was significantly correlated with changes in DA ratio and InvRadMax ( P < 0.05).
Conclusionss:
Both SMILE and PRK refractive surgeries significantly altered corneal biomechanical properties but the changes were more prominent after SMILE.
