Comparison of correcting myopia and astigmatism with SMILE or FS-LASIK and postoperative higher-order aberrations

AIM:To compare the effect of myopia and astigmatism correction and postoperative change in higher-order aberration as results of receiving small-incision lenticule extraction(SMILE)and femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis(FS-LASIK).METHODS:A prospective and non-randomized controlled study was conducted.The subjects are divided into two groups according to different operations received:229 eyes of 116 patients in the SMILE group and 168 eyes of 86 patients in the FS-LASIK group.All subjects were followed up for 3 mo by monitoring their uncorrected visual acuity(UCVA),best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA),spherical equivalent,higher-order aberrations,and the preoperative and postoperative complications.RESULTS:At 1 wk,1,and 3 mo post-surgery,224 eyes(97.8%),227 eyes(99.1%)and 229 eyes(100%)had UCVA≥20/20 in the SMILE group,while 165 eyes(98.2%),167 eyes(99.4%)and 167 eyes(99.4%)had UCVA≥20/20 in the FS-LASIK group,respectively(χ^(2)=0.146,2.135,and 1.124;all P>0.05).BCVA reduction was not observed in both groups at 1 and 3 mo of post-surgery(χ^(2)=0.734 and 1.898,P>0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in the spherical equivalent between the two groups at 1 and 3 mo post-surgery,though the percentage of the spherical equivalent within±0.50 D at 3 mo postsurgery was 98%in the SMILE group,which was higherthan that of the FS-LASIK group(92%,χ^(2)=1.872,P>0.05).The root mean square(RMS)values of total high-order aberration,coma,and spherical aberration of the two groups increased significantly in the early postoperative period and decreased after 3 mo,but the values were still higher than the preoperative levels(P<0.05);there was no significant difference between the two groups in the RMS values of total higher-order aberrations and specific higherorder aberrations(P>0.05).The incidence of complications in the SMILE group was lower than that in the FS-LASIK group(χ^(2)=14.52,P<0.05).CONCLUSION:SMILE and FS-LASIK can effectively treat myopia,significantly improve visual acuity,and increase the total high-order aberration,spherical aberration,and coma.The incidence of complications after SMILE is relatively low.