Changes in Retinal Vessel Flow after Small Incision Lenticule Extraction.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Retinal Imaging
• Surgical Outcomes

Background:

• Small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) is a refractive surgical procedure.
• Assessing the impact of SMILE on retinal microvasculature is crucial for understanding visual recovery.
• Retinal vessel density (VD) and perfusion density (PD) are key indicators of retinal health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze changes in retinal vessel flow after small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE).
• To evaluate the short-term and medium-term effects of SMILE on retinal vasculature.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study of 32 patients (62 eyes) undergoing SMILE.
• Optical parameters (VD, PD) measured in foveal, parafoveal, and perifoveal regions preoperatively and postoperatively (1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months).
• Correlation analysis between preoperative/surgical parameters and VD/PD fluctuations.

Main Results:

• Significant decrease in VD and PD observed on postoperative day 1 in all quadrants and regions (P < 0.001).
• Retinal vessel density (VD) returned to preoperative levels by 1 month post-surgery.
• No significant correlation found between preoperative/surgical parameters and VD/PD changes (P > 0.05).

Conclusions:

• SMILE can cause a temporary, regionally disparate decrease in retinal vessel density and perfusion.
• Retinal vasculature recovers to baseline levels within one month following SMILE.
• Elevated intraocular pressure during the SMILE procedure may contribute to these transient vascular changes.