Comparison of the Different Preservative Methods for Refractive Lenticules following SMILE.

: To (i) evaluate various methods for preserving refractive lenticules (RLs) from myopic eyes following small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE), in order to (ii) establish a sound, standard storage RL preservative for clinical uses. : In this prospective study, we compared freshly excised post-SMILE RLs (control group) with post-SMILE RLs (experimental group). Experimental group RLs were preserved in one of several preservatives: glycerol, allochroic silicagel desiccant, or Optisol. Following preservation in one of these three media, samples were evaluated by light microscopy (LM), and transmission (TEM) and scanning (SEM) electron microscopy on days-1, -3, -7, and -14. : Changes in cellular morphology were observed at all time points. Compared with fresh control-group RLs, there were significant histological changes in RLs preserved in glycerol and allochroic silicagel, but not . Comparison of the three methods revealed to be the best, followed by allochroic silica gel desiccant, followed by glycerol. RLs preserved in maintained the highest degree of viability and integrity. And the RLs viability and collagen density decreased with prolongation of storage time all. : is a midterm corneal storage medium, which can maintain post-SMILE corneal RLs for 14 days, is a feasible and effective method for tissue storage.