Five-year stability of posterior corneal surface after small incision lenticule extraction for high myopia

BACKGROUND: To study the 5-year changes in the posterior corneal surface after small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) for high myopia. METHODS: Eighty eyes received SMILE was included in this prospective study. They were allocated into two groups based on the spherical equivalent: high myopia (40eyes, -7.49 ± 0.70D) and moderate myopia (40eyes, -4.43 ± 0.87D). Certain points of posterior corneal elevation (the central point (PCE), thinnest point (PTE), maximal point (PME), and in various corneal areas) were evaluated using a Scheimpflug camera (Pentacam; Oculus GmbH, Germany) preoperatively and at 6 months and 5 years after surgery. RESULTS: All surgeries were completed uneventfully and no ectasia was developed throng the observation. The safety index and efficacy index were 1.14 and 1.03 in the high myopia group, and 1.16 and 1.06 in the moderate myopia group, respectively. Most of the calculated values in the high myopia group showed a slight increase at 6 months but decreased at 5 years. At 5 years postoperatively, the value of the PTE was significantly lower than at baseline in both groups (P ≤ 0.047); a statistical difference was also revealed in the PME in the moderate group with slight changes (10.15 ± 3.01 μm vs. 11.60 ± 4.33 μm, P = 0.002); no statistical significance was observed in other calculated values (P ≥ 0.067). Similarly, no significant linear correlation was noted between changes in all values and the residual bed thickness either (P ≥ 0.057). CONCLUSIONS: SMILE causes no protrusion in posterior corneal surface for correction of high myopia at the follow-up visit of 5 years.