Comparison of different intraocular pressure measurement techniques in normal eyes and post small incision lenticule extraction

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to determine the accuracy of intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement after small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) using Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT) and ocular response analyzer (ORA). METHODS: This is a prospective clinical study that was conducted on 30 eyes in the interval between February 2016 and September 2016. The age of the patients ranged between 19 and 40 years. The patients underwent SMILE surgery using the femto laser. IOP was measured preoperatively and 1 month postoperatively by both techniques, the GAT and the ORA. RESULTS: GAT recorded lower values than ORA values (IOPcc) preoperatively and postoperatively and the difference was statistically significant. Both GAT and ORA IOP measurements decreased after SMILE. There was no statistically significant correlation between the changes in the GAT and ORA readings and the postoperative corneal pachymetry or the lenticule thickness. Both corneal hysteresis and corneal resistance factor showed significant decline after the procedure, which correlated with the lenticule thickness. CONCLUSION: SMILE causes significant reduction in IOP measurement by ORA and GAT. Corneal biomechanics decreases following SMILE and this correlates with lenticule thickness.