Assessment of Corneal Biomechanical Properties Following SMILE and LASEK in Patients with Moderate to High Myopia and Thin Corneas: A Retrospective Comparative Analysis - Summary - MDSpire
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Assessment of Corneal Biomechanical Properties Following SMILE and LASEK in Patients with Moderate to High Myopia and Thin Corneas: A Retrospective Comparative Analysis
To compare the 2-year refractive outcomes and corneal biomechanical changes following SMILE versus LASEK in myopic patients with relatively thin corneas (CCT ≤ 530 μm) and identify predictors of biomechanical alteration, emphasizing the significance of these changes.
Key Findings:
Both SMILE and LASEK resulted in significant refractive improvements at 2 years, with implications for patient selection.
Biomechanical properties showed less alteration in LASEK compared to SMILE, suggesting LASEK may be more suitable for patients with thin corneas.
Predictors of biomechanical changes included preoperative corneal thickness and surgical technique, which should guide clinical decisions.
Interpretation:
The study highlights the importance of evaluating corneal biomechanical properties in patients with thin corneas, suggesting that LASEK may offer more stable outcomes than SMILE in this population, which could influence surgical decision-making.
Limitations:
Retrospective design may introduce selection bias, affecting the reliability of the findings.
Small sample size limits generalizability of findings.
Lack of long-term follow-up beyond 2 years.
Conclusion:
LASEK may be preferable for patients with thin corneas due to its lesser impact on corneal biomechanics compared to SMILE, emphasizing the need for individualized surgical planning based on biomechanical assessments.
