Three-year results of central corneal stromal thickness reduction in small-incision lenticule extraction for high...

To investigate the long-term corneal stromal remodeling and central stromal thickness (CST) reduction accuracy after small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) for high myopia correction.

This prospective study included 30 patients (50 eyes) who had undergone SMILE. Measurements of CST reduction using optical coherence tomography were performed at 1 month, 6 months, 1 year, and 3 years after surgery. Correlations were performed between planned and achieved CST reductions.

The study enrolled 50 eyes of 30 patients. The mean spherical equivalent was -9.25±1.52 D(diopters). The postoperative CST increased in the first month after surgery and remained stable for a year. Thereafter, it remained stable during follow-up from 1 to 3 years postoperatively. The predicted CST reduction was 146.4 ± 10.3 μm. The achieved CST reductions at 1 month, 6 months, 1 year, and 3 years after surgery were 135.3 ± 12.1 μm, 130.8 ± 10.6 μm, 125.9 ± 9.4 μm, and 122.2 ± 10.6 μm, respectively. An overestimation of CST reduction was observed three years after surgery. Correlation analysis revealed a strong correlation between planned and achieved CST reductions; however, no correlation was found between CST reductions predicted error and the planned CST reductions.

During long-term follow-up, our findings revealed a significant stromal remodeling following SMILE in patients with high myopia. Therefore, clinicians should consider it when screening patients with high myopia for SMILE.