Small incision lenticule extraction and femtosecond-assisted laser in situ keratomileusis in patients with deep corneal opacity:case series

AIM:To report the safety,efficacy,and accuracy of small-incision lenticule extraction(SMILE)or femtosecondassisted laser in situ keratomileusis(FS-LASIK)for the correction of myopia or myopic astigmatism in patients with deep corneal opacity denoted by anterior segment optical coherence tomography(AS-OCT).METHODS:Four patients with monocular corneal opacity(3 due to mechanical injury,1 due to a firecracker wound)were recruited and treated with refractive surgery(3 for SMILE,1 for FS-LASIK combined with limbal relaxing incision(LRI).Preoperative ocular manifestations,surgical details,postoperative visual outcomes,corneal opacity parameters,and corneal topography were analyzed.RESULTS:Preoperatively,spherical diopter ranged from-3.0 D to-4.75 D with cylinder ranging from-0.75 to-5.0 D,and corrected distance visual acuity(CDVA)ranging from 20/25 to 20/20.One eye’s corneal opacity was located in the central zone and three were in the mid-peripheral optical zone.Three patients underwent uneventful SMILE in both eyes,whilst one patient underwent FS-LASIK for high astigmatism in both eyes and LRI in the right eye.CDVA of the eye with corneal opacity ranged from 20/22to 20/20 one to six weeks postoperatively.Two patients achieved better CDVA and no patients lost Snellen lines.The postoperative diopter was within±0.75 D for all eyes.Significant edema existed above the corneal opacity in one eye and dissipated soon.No eccentric corneal topography or morphological anomaly of the corneal cap or flap was observed.CONCLUSION:The cases demonstrate that SMILE or FS-LASIK is safe and effective to treat myopic astigmatism combined with deep corneal opacity lesions after comprehensive preoperative evaluation and appropriate candidate selection.FS-LASIK combined with LRI is also sufficient for correcting high astigmatism due to corneal scarring.

Three-year results of small incision lenticule extraction and wavefront-guided femtosecond laser-assisted laser in situ keratomileusis for correction of high myopia and myopic astigmatism

AIM： To compare and calculate the 3-year refractive results, higher-order aberrations （HOAs）, contrast sensitivity （CS） and dry eye parameters after small incision lenticule extraction （SMILE） and wavefront-guided femtosecond laser-assisted laser in situ keratomileusis （FS-LASIK） for correction of high myopia and myopic astigmatism. METHODS： In this prospective, non-randomized comparative study, 78 eyes with spherical equivalent （SE） of -8.11±1.09 diopters （D） received a SMILE surgery, and 65 eyes with SE of -8.05±1.12 D received a wavefront-guided FS-LASIK surgery with the VisuMax femtosecond laser （Carl Zeiss Meditec, Jena, Germany） for flap cutting. Visual acuity, manifest refraction, CS, HOAs, ocular surface disease index （OSDI） and tear break-up time （TBUT） were evaluated during a 3-year follow-up. RESULTS： The difference of uncorrected distance visual acuity （UDVA） postoperatively was achieved at lmo and at 3mo, whereas the difference of the mean UDVA between two groups at 3y were not statistically significant （t=-1.59, P=-0.13）. The postoperative change of SE was 0.89 D in the FS-LASIK group （t=5.76, P=0.00）, and 0.14 D in the SMILE group （t=-0.54, P=0.59） from lmo to 3y after surgery. At 3-year postoperatively, both HOAs and spherical aberrations in the SMILE group were obviously less than those in the FS-LASIK group （P=0.00）, but the coma root mean square （RMS） was higher in the SMILE group （0.59±0.26） than in the FS-LASIK group （0.29±0.14, P=0.00）. The mesopic CS values between two groups were not statistically significant at 3y postoperatively. Compared with the FS-LASIK group, lower OSDI scores and longer TBUT values were found in the SMILE group at Imo and 3mo postoperatively. With regard to safety, no eye lost any line of CDVA in both groups at 3y after surgery. CONCLUSION： Both SMILE and wavefront-guided FS- LASIK procedures provide good visual outcomes. Both procedures are effective and safe, but SMILE surgery achieve more stable long-term refractive outcome and better control of early postoperative dry eye as compared to FS-LASIK.

Corneal flap morphological analysis using anterior segment optical coherence tomography in laser in situ keratomileusis with femtosecond lasers versus mechanical microkeratome

AIM: To assess and compare the flap morphology using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) in laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) with Femto LDV femtosecond lasers versus Hansatome mechanical Microkeratome. METHODS: AS-OCT (Visante) was used to compare 1 month postoperatively the morphology of the flaps created with Femto LDV femtosecond lasers or Hansatome Microkeratome. The intendedfiap thickness was 110 mu m and 160 mu m respectively. The thickness of twenty-five points across each flap, which were 0mm, 1.5mm, 2.5mm, and 3.5mm to the corneal vertex on the horizontal, vertical, 45 degrees and 135 degrees meridian respectively, was evaluated. RESULTS: One month postoperative, the central flap thickness in the Femto LDV group was 107.43 +/- 4.70 mu m, while 125.90 +/- 17.50 mu m in the Hansatome group. The difference between the actual and the expectedfiap thickness was 5.61 +/- 3.84 mu m and 31.52 +/- 12.27 mu m, respectively. The Hansatome group had presented a statistically significant result (P<0.001). Flap morphology showed a more regular planar shape in the Femto LDV group and a meniscus shape in the Hansatome group. CONCLUSION: AS-OCT is a direct and fast procedure to assess the flap morphology. The morphology by AS-OCT showed that the flaps created with Femto LDV femtosecond laser were more accurate and regular than the flaps created with Hansatome microkeratome.

Using LaserSight Astrapro Planner 2.2 Z software in corneal topography-guided laser in situ keratomileusis for myopia with asymmetric corneal shape

AIM:To determine the clinical outcomes of laser insitu keratomileusis(LASIK)treatments using LaserSight AstraPro Planner 2.2 Z software for myopia with asymmetric corneal shape.METHODS:Four hundred and eighty-five eyes[243patients;spherical equivalent(SE),-5.93±1.88 diopters(D)]were treated with asymmetric ablations using LaserSight SLX laser(version 5.3,300Hz)were retrospectively analyzed and LaserSight AstraPro Planner2.2 Z software.Preoperative and postoperative uncorrected visual acuities(UCVA),spherical equivalent(SE)refraction,pachymetry,and corneal asphericity(Q value)and decentration were evaluated.RESULTS:At 12mo postoperatively,the decimal UCVA was 1.0 or better in 449(92.6%)eyes.Two eyes(0.4%)lost 1 line of the decimal best spectacle-corrected visual acuity(BCVA),316(65.2%)did not change,149(30.7%)gained 1 line,and 18(3.7%)gained 2 lines or more after surgery.Three hundred and thirty-two eyes(68.5%)were within 0.5 D in SE.The mean tissue saving ablation depth was 4.28±2.86(0-16)μm(median,4μm).The mean attempted remaining central corneal thickness was435.79±29.56μm,the mean postoperative pachymetry was 444.94±28.93μm.The mean preoperative Q value was-0.19±0.18,the postoperative was 0.30±0.48(P=0.000).The mean postoperative decentration was 0.39±0.19 mm.CONCLUSION:Topography-guidedLASIKwithAstraPro Planner 2.2 Z custom ablation planning software in an asymmetric ablation mode was an effective,safe,predictable,and stable refractive procedure for the myopia with asymmetric corneal topography.

Comparison of visual acuity of the patients on the first day after sub-Bowman keratomileusis or laser in situ keratomileusis

AIM：To compare recovery of the visual acuity in patients one day after sub-Bowman keratomileusis（SBK）or laser in situ keratomileusis（LASIK）.· METHODS：Data from 5923 eyes in 2968 patients that received LASIK（2755 eyes） or SBK（3168 eyes） were retrospectively analyzed.The eyes were divided into 4groups according to preoperative spherical equivalent：between-12.00 to-9.00 D,extremely high myopia（n =396,including 192 and 204 in SBK and LASIK groups,respectively）;-9.00 to-6.00 D,high myopia（n=1822,including 991 and 831 in SBK and LASIK groups,respectively）,-6.00 to-3.00 D,moderate myopia（n=3071,including 1658 and 1413 in SBK and LASIK groups,respectively）,and-3.00 to 0.00 D,low myopia（n =634,including 327 and 307 in SBK and LASIK groups,respectively）.Uncorrected logMAR visual acuity values of patients were assessed under standard natural light.Analysis of variance was used for comparisons among different groups.· RESULTS：Uncorrected visual acuity values were0.0115±0.1051 and 0.0466±0.1477 at day 1 after operation for patients receiving SBK and LASIK,respectively（P〈0.01）;visual acuity values of 0.1854±0.1842,0.0615±0.1326,-0.0033±0.0978,and-0.0164±0.0972 were obtained for patients in the extremely high,high,moderate,and low myopia groups,respectively（P〈0.01）.In addition,significant differences in visual acuity at day 1 after operation were found between patients receiving SBK and LASIK in each myopia subgroup.· CONCLUSION：Compared with LASIK,SBK is safer and more effective,with faster recovery.Therefore,SBK is more likely to be accepted by patients than LASIK for better uncorrected visual acuity the day following operation.

Influence of transient intraocular pressure elevation during laser in situ keratomileusis on rabbit retina thickness

AIMTo utilize tissue micro measurement to study the effect of transient high intraocular pressure (IOP) induced by different durations of suction during laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) on rabbit retina thickness.METHODSSixty healthy New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into a control group, and 3 negative-pressure suction groups (20s group, 45s group, and 3min group) and each group was comprised of 15 rabbits (30 eyes); the latter 3 groups were the transient high IOP models. The retinal tissue around the papilledema was separated. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was carried out to generate slices for light microscopy. The changes in the retina thickness values of each layer were measured for all animals in each group at different postoperative recovery periods and compared with the values recorded for the animals in the control group. The thickness of the retinal tissue showed a normal distribution. The ANOVA was performed by using SPSS13.0 statistic software.RESULTSIn the comparison between the 20s and 45s negative-pressure suction groups and the control group, no significant differences were observed, except at 14d. Significant difference was observed between the 3min negative-pressure suction group and the control group, and the retina thickness value of each layer reached a peak at 14d after repair.CONCLUSIONConventional negative suction during LASIK may not lead to significant changes in retinal tissue thickness; however, if the suction duration is increased to 3min, it will cause significant changes in retinal tissue thickness.

Laser in situ keratomileusis in adult patients with anisometropic amblyopia

AIM: To evaluate the increase in corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) in adults with anisometropic amblyopia. · METHODS: The medical records of consecutive patients diagnosed with anisometropic amblyopia at the time of refractive evaluation who underwent LASIK were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with at least a two-line difference of visual acuity (VA) between the eyes with a spherical refractive error difference of at least 3.00 diopters (D) or an astigmatic difference of at least 2.00D were included. Patients with any other possible reason for amblyopia other than anisometropia or those who had undergone previous amblyopia treatment were excluded. Amblyopic eyes with myopia or myopic astigmatism were considered as group 1, hypermetropia or hypermetropic astigmatism constituted group 2, and mixed astigmatism patients comprised group 3. Uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), subjective manifest refraction, and CDVA were analyzed at 1 week and 1 month, 3, and 6 months. ·RESULTS: The study included 57 eyes of 57 patients. There were 33 eyes in group 1, 12 eyes in group 2, and 12 eyes in group 3. The preoperative mean values for spherical equivalent of subjective manifest refraction (SE) in groups 1, 2, and 3 were (-4.66±1.97)D, (4.40±1.00)D, and (0.15±1.05)D, respectively. Mean CDVA improved 0.1 log units (1 line LogMAR) at 6 months (P 【0.05). Sixteen eyes (28%) exhibited an improvement in CDVA in week 1. Fourteen eyes (25% ) experienced two or more lines of CDVA improvement at month 6. There were no statistically significant differences among the groups in terms of CDVA (P 】0.05). Moreover, age, the amount ofpreoperative refractive error, and the levels of preoperative corrected and UDVA had no effect on postoperative CDVA improvement (P 】0.05). · CONCLUSION: Correction of refractive errors with LASIK produced significant CDVA improvement in adult patients with anisometropic amblyopia and no previous amblyopia treatment.

Comparison of optical quality after implantable collamer lens implantation and wavefront-guided laser in situ keratomileusis

AIM： To compare the optical quality after implantation of implantable collamer lens（ICL） and wavefront-guided laser in situ keratomileusis（WG-LASIK）.METHODS： The study included 40 eyes of 22 patients with myopia who accepted ICL implantation and 40 eyes of 20 patients with myopia who received WG-LASIK. Before surgery and three months after surgery, the objective scattering index（OSI）, the values of modulation transfer function（MTF） cutoff frequency, Strehl ratio, and the Optical Quality Analysis System（OQAS） values（OVs） were accessed. The higher order aberrations（HOAs） data including coma, trefoil, spherical, 2^（nd） astigmatism and tetrafoil were also obtained. For patients with pupil size 〈6 mm, HOAs data were analyzed for 4 mm-pupil diameter. For patients with pupil size ≥6 mm, HOAs data were calculated for 6 mm-pupil diameter. Visual acuity, refraction, pupil size and intraocular pressures were also recorded.RESULTS： In both ICL and WG-LASIK group, significant improvements in visual acuities were found postoperatively, with a significant reduction in spherical equivalent（P〈 0.001）. After the ICL implantation, the OSI decreasedslightly from 2.34±1.92 to 2.24±1.18 with no statistical significance（P=0.62）. While in WG-LASIK group, the OSI significantly increased from 0.68±0.43 preoperatively to 0.91±0.53 postoperatively（Wilcoxon signed ranks test, P=0.000）. None of the mean MTF cutoff frequency, Strehl ratio, OVs showed statistically significant changes in both ICL and WG-LASIK groups. In the ICL group, there were no statistical differences in the total HOAs for either 4 mmpupil or 6 mm-pupil. In the WG-LASIK group, the HOA parameters increased significantly at 4 mm-pupil. The total ocular HOAs, coma, spherical and 2^（nd） astigmatism were 0.12±0.06, 0.06±0.03, 0.00±0.03, 0.02±0.01, respectively. After the operation, these values were increased into 0.16±0.07, 0.08±0.05,-0.04±0.04, 0.03±0.01 respectively（Wilcoxon signed ranks test, all P〈0.05）. At 6 mm-pupil, the induction of total HOAs was not statistically significant in the WG-LASIK group. CONCLUSION： ICL implantation has a less disturbance to optical quality than WG-LASIK. The OQAS is a valuable complementary measurement to the wavefront aberrometers in evaluating the optical quality.

Optical and visual quality comparison of implantable collamer lens and femtosecond laser assisted laser in situ keratomileusis for high myopia correction

AIM:To compare clinical outcomes and refractive stability of implantable collamer lens(ICL)implantation and femtosecond laser assisted laser in situ keratomileusis(FSLASIK)for high myopia correction.METHODS:The Optical Quality Analysis System(OQAS)was used to evaluate clinical outcomes objectively after operation for high myopia correction.We compared the two procedures in terms of 1-year changes in uncorrected distance visual acuity(UDVA),corrected distance visual acuity(CDVA),safety index,efficacy index,spherical equivalent,modulation transfer function(MTF)cutoff frequency,strehl ratio(SR)and objective scatter index(OSI).RESULTS:At 1 y postoperatively,the safety indices were 1.33±0.27 in ICL group,and 1.17±0.24 in FS-LASIK group.39.58%in the ICL group and 27.59%in the FS-LASIK group gained CDVA in 2 lines or better than that in preoperative CDVA.The efficacy indices were 1.28±0.22 in ICL group,and 1.13±0.26 in FS-LASIK group.The changes of spherical equivalent from 1 wk to 1 y postoperatively was-0.12±0.37 D in ICL group,and-0.79±0.58 D in FS-LASIK group(P<0.05).Spherical equivalent within±0.50 D was achieved in 97.92%in ICL group and 68.97%in FS-LASIK group.MTF cutoff frequency were higher with ICL as compared to FSLASIK(P<0.05)at each postoperative follow-up stage;for postoperative 1 mo later,SR was statistically significant difference between two groups(P<0.05);with no statistically significant difference in OSI between two groups(P>0.05)in postoperative 3 mo later.CONCLUSION:ICL implantation and FS-LASIK procedures both provide good safety and predictability in high myopia correction.ICL implantation provides better clinical outcomes and refractive stability than FS-LASIK.

Effect of Laser in situ Keratomileusis on Accommodation

The accommodative function before and after laser in situ keratomileusis （LASIK） was observed, and the effect of LASIK on accommodation was investigated. In a prospective clinical trial, 48 myopic patients （96 eyes） subject to bilateral LASIK in Refractive Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology （China） from March 2006 to June 2006 were selected and studied. Refractions, accommodative range, amplitude of accommodative response and high frequency component （HFC） of accommodative microfluctuations were measured with NEDIK-730A before and one week and 30 days after operation. Dominant and non-dominant eyes were determined by hole-in-card method. It was found that all of the operative eyes showed an uncorrected visual acuity of 0.8 or better one week postoperatively, and 1.0 or better 30 days postoperatively. Compared with those preoperatively, accommodative range and HFC had no significant difference at first week and 30th day after operation in both dominant eyes and non-dominant eyes （P〉0.05）, but there was a significant difference in the amplitude of accommodative response/accommodative stimulus ratio （A/S） after operation （P〈0.01）, and no significant difference was found in accommodation between one week and 30 days postoperation. No ocular dominance＇s change was noted. There was no significant difference in accommodative function between dominant eyes and non-dominant eyes. It was suggested that LASIK produced no significant effect on accommodation.

Comparison of Intraocular Pressures at Different Points in Human's Cornea before and after Laser in situ Keratomileusis with Tono-Pen Tonometer

In order to explore the difference of intraocular pressure（IOP） at different points of cornea before and after laser in situ keratomileusis（LASIK）,IOP was measured by Tono-Pen Tonometer at central cornea,pericentral cornea and limbus respectively and analyzed statistically.After LASIK,IOP was dropped significantly at central cornea and pericentral cornea（P〈0.05）,while no statistically significant change occurred at limbus（P〉0.05）.There was no statistically significant difference in IOP at different points before LASIK（F=0.110,P=0.896）,but statistically significant difference was found after LASIK（F=7.375,P=0.001）.It was suggested that reliable IOP after LASIK could be obtained from the limbus by Tono-Pen tonometer.

Posner-Schlossman syndrome induced laser in situ keratomileusis keratectasia–a case report

Iam Dr. Xiu Wang, from Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China. I write to present one case report of Posner-Schlossman syndrome （PSS） induced laser in situ keratomileusis （LASIK） keratectasia.

Above-average defocus curves in photopic and mesopic vision with multifocal intraocular lenses after laser assisted in situ keratomileusis

I am Dr. David P Pifiero from the Department of Optics, Pharmacology and Anatomy of the University of Alicante and from the Department of Ophthalmology of Vithas Medimar （Oftalmar） and Vithas Virgen del Carmen （Qvision） hospitals in Spain.

ONE YEAR RESULTS OF LASER IN SITU KERATOMILEUSIS FOR CORRECTION OF HYPEROPIA

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness, predictability and city of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for correction of hyperopia. Methods 54 eyes of 35 patients with hyperopia ranging from+1.00 to + 6. 00 diopter(D) received a one-pass, multizone scanning excimer laser ablations using the Chiron Technolas Keracor 11 7C excimer laser and System ALK automated corneal shaper H-230.Data on uncorrected and hot corrected visual acuity, predictability, stability of refraction, and complications were analyzed. The average follow-up was 12 months. Results At 12 months, the average residual refraction was(+ 0. 29 ±0. 78)D. 45 eyes (83.3% ) were in the range of ±1. OD and 33 eyes(61. 1% ) were within the range of ± 0. 5D. 50 eyes (92. 6% ) had uncorrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better and 34 eyes (63. 0% ) had 20/20 or better. 1 eyes (1. 9% ) lost 2 line of the best-corrected visual acuity and 2 eyes (3. 7% ) gained 2 lines or more. 2 eyes (3. 7%) had complaint of halos and 1 eyes (1. 9% ) had glare at 12 months. Conclusion LASIK can he used to treat hyperopia from + 1. 0D to + 6. 0D with good predictability and city. Primary and second hyperopia should he treated with different nomogram. some modification of the surgical algorithms and laser nomogram will help to improve predictability and stability of outcome.

Early changes in corneal densitometry after FS-LASIK combined with accelerated corneal cross-linking for correction of high myopia

AIM:To observe the effects of femtosecond laserassisted excimer laser in situ keratomileusis combined with accelerated corneal cross-linking(FS-LASIK Xtra)on corneal densitometry after correcting for high myopia.METHODS:In this prospectively study,130 patients underwent FS-LASIK or FS-LASIK Xtra for high myopia.Their right eyes were selected for inclusion in the study,of which 65 cases of 65 eyes in the FS-LASIK group,65 patients with 65 eyes in the FS-LASIK Xtra group.Patients were evaluated for corneal densitometry at 1,3,and 6mo postoperatively using Pentacam Scheimpflug imaging.RESULTS:Preoperative differences in corneal densitometry between the FS-LASIK and FS-LASIK Xtra groups in different ranges were not statistically significant(P>0.05).Layer-by-layer analysis revealed statistically significant differences in the anterior(120μm),central,and total layer corneal densitometry between the FS-LASIK and FS-LASIK Xtra groups at 1 and 3mo postoperatively(all P<0.05),the FS-LASIK Xtra group is higher than that of the FS-LASIK group.Analysis of different diameter ranges showed statistically significant differences between the FS-LASIK group and the FS-LASIK Xtra group at 1mo postoperatively in the ranges of 0–2,2–6,and 6–10 mm(both P<0.05);At 3mo postoperatively,the FS-LASIK Xtra group is higher than that of the FS-LASIK group in the ranges of 0–2 and 2–6 mm(P<0.05).At 6mo postoperatively,there were no statistically significant differences in corneal densitometry between the FS-LASIK group and the FS-LASIK Xtra group in different diameter ranges(all P>0.05).CONCLUSION:There is an increase in internal corneal densitometry during the early postoperative period after FS-LASIK Xtra for correction of high myopia.However,the densitometry values decreased to the level of conventional FS-LASIK at 6mo after surgery,with the most significant changes observed in the superficial central zone.

Clinical outcomes of small incision lenticule extraction versus femtosecond laser-assisted LASIK for myopia: a Meta-analysis

AIM：To evaluate the possible differences in visual quality between small incision lenticule extraction（SMILE）and femtosecond laser in situ keratomileusis（FS-LASIK）for myopia.METHODS：A Meta-analysis was performed.Patients were from previously reported comparative studies treated with SMILE versus FS-LASIK.The Pub Med,EMBASE,Cochrane,Web of Science and Chinese databases（i.e.WANFANG and CNKI）were searched in Nov.of 2016 using Rev Man 5.1 version software.The differences in visual acuity,aberration and biomechanical effects within six months postoperatively were showed.Twenty-seven studies including 4223 eyes were included.RESULTS：No significant differences were observed between SMILE and FS-LASIK in terms of the proportion of eyes that lost one or more lines of corrected distance visual acuity after surgery（P=0.14）,the proportion of eyes achieving an uncorrected distance visual acuity of 20/20or better（P=0.43）,the final refractive spherical equivalent（P=0.89）,the refractive spherical equivalent within±1.00diopter of the target values（P=0.80）,vertical coma（P=0.45）and horizontal coma（P=0.06）.Compared with the FSLASIK group,total higher-order aberration（P〈0.001）and spherical aberration（P〈0.001）were higher and the decrease in corneal hysteresis（P=0.0005）and corneal resistance factor（P=0.02）were lower in the SMILE group.CONCLUSION：SMILE and FS-LASIK are comparable in efficacy,safety and predictability for correcting myopia.However,the aberration in the SMILE group is superior to that in the FS-LASIK group,and the loss of biomechanical effects may occur less frequently after SMILE than after FS-LASIK.

Corneal neuromediator profiles following laser refractive surgery

Laser refractive surgery is one of the most commonly performed procedures worldwide.In laser refractive surgery,Femtosecond Laser in Situ Keratomileusis and Refractive Lenticule Extraction have emerged as promising alternatives to microkeratome Laser in Situ Keratomileusis and Photorefractive Keratectomy.Following laser refractive surgery,the corneal nerves,epithelial and stromal cells release neuromediators,including neurotrophins,neuropeptides and neurotransmitters.Notably,nerve growth factor,substance P,calcitonin gene-related peptide and various cytokines are important mediators of neurogenic inflammation and corneal nerve regeneration.Alterations in neuromediator profiles and ocular surface parameters following laser refractive surgery are attributed to the surgical techniques and the severity of tissue insult induced.In this review,we will discuss the(1)Functions of neuromediators and their physiological and clinical significance;(2)Changes in the neuromediators following various laser refractive surgeries;(3)Correlation between neuromediators,ocular surface health and corneal nerve status;and(4)Future directions,including the use of neuromediators as potential biomarkers for ocular surface health following laser refractive surgery,and as adjuncts to aid in corneal regeneration after laser refractive surgery.

Comparison of visual acuity, refractive results and complications of femtosecond laser with mechanical microkeratome in LASIK

AIM: To compare the outcomes of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) performed with a femtosecond laser (Femtec, Technolas Perfect Vision GmbH, Germany) versus a mechanical microkeratome (Hansatome, Bausch and Lomb, USA) for the correction of myopia and astigmatism. ·METHODS: In this retrospective study, patients who had undergone LASIK using the 80 -kHz Femtec femtosecond laser were compared to age- and refraction- matched patients in whom the Hansatome microkeratome was used. Refractive and visual results 1 month and 3 months postoperatively, and complication rates were compared between the two groups. ·RESULTS: A total of 280 eyes were analyzed (140 in each group). At 3 months postoperatively in the Femtec vs Hansatome group, spherical equivalent refraction was within ±1.00D of emmetropia in 140 vs 138 eyes (P = 0.498), the cylinder was within ±0.50D in 137 vs 139 eyes (P =0.622), and the UDVA was 20/20 or better in 136 vs 137 eyes (P =0.724), respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the complication rates between the two groups (P =0.099). ·CONCLUSION: LASIK performed both with Femtec femtosecond laser and Hansatome microkeratome achieved satisfactory refractive and visual results at 3 months postoperatively, without significant differences in efficacy, safety, and complication rates between the two procedures.

Effect of suction on macular thickness and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness during LASIK used femtosecond laser and Moria M2 microkeratome

·AIM: To compare the effect of suction on the macular thickness and retinal nerve fiber layer(RNFL) thickness during laser in situ keratomileusis(LASIK) used Ziemer FEMTO LDV femtosecond laser(Ziemer group) and Moria M2 automated microkeratome(Moria group) for flap creation.· METHODS: Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography(FD-OCT) was used to measure macular thickness, ganglion cell complex thickness and RNFL thickness of 204 eyes of 102 patients with the Ziemer femtosecond laser(102 eyes) and the Moria M2microkeratome(102 eyes) before surgery and 30min; 1,3d; 1wk; 1, 3mo; 1y after surgery.· RESULTS: The average foveal thickness and parafoveal retinal thickness 30 min after the surgery were statistically more than that before surgery(Ziemer P 【0.001,P =0.003 and Moria P=0.001, P=0.006) and the effect was less in the Ziemer group than that in the Moria group(P all 【0.05). The ganglion cell complex thickness was not significantly changed in both groups(P all 】0.05). The RNFL thickness was statistically less 30 min after surgery in both groups(P=0.014, P 【0.001), but the influence was less in Ziemer group than that in Moria group(P =0.038).However, the RNFL thickness had recovered to the preoperative level only 1d after surgery.·CONCLUSION: The suction of femtosecond laser and mechanical microkeratome led to the increase in macular central fovea thickness and the decrease in RNFL thickness values at the early stage after LASIK. The effect of suction on macular and the RNFL thicknesses in Ziemer group is smaller than that in Moria group.

Comparison of corneal flap thickness using a FS200femtosecond laser and a moria SBK microkeratome

AIMTo evaluate differences in flap thickness resulting from use of an Alcon Wavelight FS200 femtosecond laser and a MORIA SBK microkeratome when making a 110-&#x000b5;m-thick corneal flap and to identify the potential factors that affect corneal flap thickness.