Comparison of corneal sensitivity between FS-LASIK and femtosecond lenticule extraction (ReLEx flex) or small-incision lenticule extraction (ReLEx smile) for myopic eyes.

BACKGROUND

To compare the effect on corneal sensitivity between femtosecond laser-assisted laser in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK) and femtosecond lenticule extraction (ReLEx flex) or FS-LASIK and small-incision lenticule extraction (ReLEx smile) surgery.

METHODS

Twenty-seven subjects (54 eyes) underwent FS-LASIK, 22 subjects (40 eyes) underwent ReLEx flex, and 32 subjects (61 eyes) underwent ReLEx smile surgery. Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometry (Luneau Ophthalmologie Chartres, Cedex, France) was used to evaluate corneal sensitivity preoperatively as well as at 1 week and 1 and 3 months after surgery.

RESULTS

At 1 week, central, superior, nasal, and temporal corneal sensitivity in the ReLEx flex group was significantly higher than in the FS-LASIK group (P=0.007, 0.004, 0.020, 0.004 respectively) and in the central and inferior areas at 3 months (P=0.002, 0.009 respectively). A higher corneal sensitivity after ReLEx smile surgery was observed in every quadrant at 1 week and 1 and 3 months compared with FS-LASIK surgery (P<0.01). Furthermore, in the ReLEx smile group, there were no statistical differences in the superior and temporal quadrants at 1 month postoperatively compared with preoperatively (5.19 ± 0.61 cm, P=0.198 and 5.64 ± 0.48 cm, P=0.330 respectively) and no significant differences in any quadrant at 3 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Postoperative corneal sensitivity was not remarkably changed after ReLEx smile surgery compared with FS-LASIK. This might be because ReLEx is a flapless procedure.