Changes in the posterior corneal surface after femtosecond laser-assisted lenticule intrastromal keratoplasty (LIKE) performed into a pocket (SMI-LIKE) or under a flap (FS-LIKE)

• Published in: Eye and vision (Novato, Calif.) Calif.), 2023-05, Vol.10 (1), p.23-23, Article 23
• Main Authors: Liu, Shengtao, Yu, Lanhui, Zhao, Yu, Zhou, Xingtao
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Contact lenses; Corneal transplantation; Eye surgery; Femtosecond laser; Hepatitis; Hyperopia; Lasers; Lenticule implantation; Myopia; Patients; Posterior corneal elevation; Surgeons; Surgical techniques; Visual acuity
• ISSN: 2326-0254; 2326-0246; 2326-0254
• DOI: 10.1186/s40662-023-00337-2

To compare the changes in posterior corneal surface after small-incision lenticule intrastromal keratoplasty (SMI-LIKE) and femtosecond laser-assisted lenticule intrastromal keratoplasty (FS-LIKE) for hyperopia correction. In this prospective comparative randomized study, 23 eyes with hyperopia were recruited. Eyes were categorized into two groups-SMI-LIKE group (11 eyes) and FS-LIKE group (12 eyes). Lenticules from myopia small incision lenticule extraction were implanted into a pocket (SMI-LIKE group) or at a depth of 100 µm under a flap (FS-LIKE group). Posterior corneal elevations in the center, mid-periphery, and periphery, as well as mean keratometry of the posterior corneal surface (Kmb) were measured using a Pentacam over a three-month follow-up. All surgeries were completed successfully and no complications occurred. At one day postoperatively, there was a slight backward change with SMI-LIKE and a forward change with FS-LIKE in the central region of the posterior corneal elevation. Conversely, the peripheral area showed forward displacement in SMI-LIKE and an apparent backward change in FS-LIKE. The mid-peripheral regions manifested a backward change after the procedure throughout the entire follow-up in both groups. Kmb exhibited flattening at one month postoperatively and subsequently returned to its original level at three months after SMI-LIKE while in FS-LIKE, Kmb steepened after lenticule implantation with a significant change noted at one day postoperatively (P = 0.001). Posterior corneal surface after SMI-LIKE and FS-LIKE exhibited different change patterns in various corneal regions, with the most prominent change occurring at one day postoperatively during the three-month follow-up. Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR-ONC-16008300. Registered on Apr 18th, 2016.  http://www.chictr.org.cn/edit.aspx?pid=14090&htm=4.