Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 12, 2025
Author Spotlight: Advancements in Refractive Surgical Correction for Presbyopia and Exploring Postoperative Visual Acuity
Published on: September 20, 2024
Comparison of visual quality after Q value-guided FS-LASIK and SMILE for correction of myopia with age-related
Ruiyu Zhang1,2, Yifei Yuan1,2, Yu Zhang1,2
1Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.
Purpose:
To investigate differences in objective and subjective visual quality 12 months following Q value-guided (Custom-Q) femtosecond laser-assisted laser in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK) versus small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) for correction of low-to-moderate myopia and compensate for age-related accommodation deficiency.
Methods:
Clinical data of 45 patients were analyzed, of whom 23 were treated with FS-LASIK and 22 with SMILE. At the 12-month follow-up, the distance, intermediate, and near visual acuities; objective and subjective refractions; Q factor; corneal higher-order aberrations (HOAs); defocus curve; contrast sensitivity; stereopsis and a subjective visual quality questionnaire were evaluated.
Results:
At 12 months postoperatively, the two groups had comparable binocular uncorrected distance and intermediate visual acuities (UDVA, UINA). A slightly better uncorrected near visual acuity (UNVA) was observed in the FS-LASIK group (P < 0.05), but patients reported equivalent near vision satisfaction and spectacle independence. Total HOAs and coma increased significantly in all treated eyes (P < 0.05). The Q value and spherical aberration (SA) became more positive, but the shifts were significant only in the SMILE group and the dominant eyes of the FS-LASIK group (P < 0.05). Binocular contrast sensitivity was better in the FS-LASIK group. No significant differences in visual disturbances were found between groups.
Conclusion:
For myopic patients with mild age-related accommodation deficiency, both FS-LASIK with Custom-Q protocol and SMILE could provide good efficacy, safety, predictability, and high patient satisfaction. The Custom-Q protocol could better preserve the original prolate shape of the cornea and achieve superior visual quality compared to SMILE.
Key Messages:
What is known Both femtosecond laser-assisted laser in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK) and small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) have been widely applied in young myopic patients, with comparable efficacy and safety. Studies evaluating the clinical outcomes of FS-LASIK and SMILE in treating myopia with age-related accommodation insufficiency are lacking. What is new For myopic patients with mild age-related accommodation deficiency, both FS-LASIK with Custom-Q protocol and SMILE could provide good efficacy, safety, predictability, and high patient satisfaction. The Custom-Q protocol could better preserve the original prolate shape of the cornea and achieve superior visual quality compared to SMILE.
