Comparison of Corneal Biomechanics Treated With Femtosecond Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis and Small-Incision Lenticule Extraction by New Corneal Biomechanical Parameters of Corvis ST II.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to compare corneal biomechanics treated with femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK) and small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) for myopia and astigmatism using the new corneal biomechanical parameters of Corvis ST II.

METHODS

This was a prospective nonrandomized controlled study. Patients treated with FS-LASIK or SMILE between January 2018 and July 2018 were included. Corvis ST II was performed to measure corneal biomechanical parameters, including deformation amplitude ratio 2.0 mm (DA ratio 2.0 mm), integrated inverse radius (Integr Radius), stiffness parameter at first applanation (SP-A1), and Ambrosio relational thickness through the horizontal meridian (ARTh), preoperatively, 1 month postoperatively, and 6 months postoperatively. Pentacam pachymetry was used to assess the reduction in pachymetry.

RESULTS

Forty-five eyes underwent FS-LASIK, and 45 eyes underwent SMILE. The new parameters obtained by Corvis ST II between preoperative and postoperative measurements showed significant changes after FS-LASIK or SMILE (all P < 0.001). Postoperative SP-A1 significantly decreased in the 2 groups (108.88 ± 14.47-73.32 ± 13.2 in FS-LASIK and 105.79 ± 17.68-73.91 ± 14.81 in SMILE). Eyes with equal preoperative pachymetry, intraocular pressure, and spherical equivalents showed no significant differences in these new parameters measured using Corvis ST II ( all P > 0.05) between the 2 groups. The prediction of the laser platform overestimated the measured pachymetry reduction in the SMILE group (111.93 ± 15.18 μm vs. 87.16 ± 15.47 μm).

CONCLUSIONS

New corneal biomechanical parameters measured using Corvis ST II showed no significant differences between FS-LASIK and SMILE in eyes with homogeneous preoperative parameters. The laser software platform may have overestimated the actual corneal reduction in the eyes treated with SMILE.