Abstract
Background
To report one year results of the first cohort of routine refractive lenticule extraction through a small incision (ReLEx SMILE) for correction of myopia and myopic astigmatism.
Methods
Fifty-four eyes of 27 patients with spherical equivalent of −4.68 ± 1.29D who underwent routine ReLEx SMILE by a single surgeon were prospectively followed-up for 1 year. We used the VisuMax® femtosecond laser system (Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, Germany) with a 500 kHz repetition rate. Folow-up intervals were at 1 day, 1 week, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. We obtained following parameters: uncorrected (UDVA) and distance-corrected visual acuity (CDVA), contrast sensitivity, and wave front measurements. We also recorded all complications.
Results
Because of suction loss in one eye, 12-month results were obtained in 53 eyes as follows. After 1 year, 88 % of eyes with plano target had an UDVA of 20/20 or better. Twelve percent of eyes lost 1 line of CDVA, while 31 % gained 1 line and 3 % gained 2 lines. The mean SE after 1 year was −0.19 ± 0.19. The mean refraction change between month 1 and 12 was 0.08 D. Neither mesopic nor photopic contrast sensitivity showed any significant changes. The high-order aberrations (HOA) increased from 0.17 to 0.27 μm (Malacara notation). No visually threatening complications were observed.
Conclusion
In this first cohort, ReLEx® SMILE produced satisfactory refractive outcomes with moderate induction of HOA and unaffected contrast sensitivity after 1 year.
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Presented in parts at the annual ESCRS Meeting, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, September 2013.
Gertnere, Sekundo, and Solomatin are members of the Scientific Advisory Board of Carl Zeiss Meditec AG. They do not have any financial interests in any devices or methods mentioned in this publication.
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Sekundo, W., Gertnere, J., Bertelmann, T. et al. One-year refractive results, contrast sensitivity, high-order aberrations and complications after myopic small-incision lenticule extraction (ReLEx SMILE). Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 252, 837–843 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-014-2608-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-014-2608-4