Corneal higher-order aberrations of the anterior surface, posterior surface, and total cornea after small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE): high myopia versus mild to moderate myopia

BACKGROUND: To investigate corneal higher-order aberrations (HOAs) of the anterior surface, posterior surface, and total cornea after small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) in high myopic and mild to moderate myopic patients. METHODS: This retrospective study included 197 eyes (101 patients) undergoing SMILE surgery. According to the preoperative spherical equivalent (SE), treated eyes were divided into two groups: a high myopic group (more than − 6.0 D, Group H) and a mild to moderate myopic group (less than − 6.0 D, Group M). Corneal HOAs of the anterior surface, posterior surface, and total cornea were measured using a Scheimpflug camera preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively. Pearson’s correlation analysis was conducted to determine relationships between corneal aberrations and the SE. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in third-order to eight-order aberrations (RMS HOAs) of the anterior surface, posterior surface, and total corneal between the two groups before SMILE surgery. However, after SMILE, anterior and total corneal HOAs, especially vertical coma and spherical aberrations, significantly increased in both groups (p < 0.0167), whereas posterior corneal HOAs remained relatively stable (p > 0.0167). The induction of HOAs was significantly greater in Group H than Group M postoperatively (p < 0.0167). Changes in anterior surface and total corneal HOAs, especially vertical coma and spherical aberrations, were related to the SE (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Anterior and total corneal HOAs, particularly vertical coma and spherical aberrations, significantly increased after SMILE in both groups, whereas posterior corneal HOAs remained stable. Aberration changes were related to SE. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Retrospectively registered. ChiCTR-ORC-17011040. Registered 1 April 2017. Name of registry: The observation of clinical results after corneal refractive surgery. Data of enrolment of the first participant to the trial: 15 December 2016.