An Innovative Concept And Practice: Recycle Of Laser Reshaped Smile-Derived Lenticules For Myopia

To investigate the efficacy of reshaped SMILE-derived lenticules transplantation for correcting high myopia.

Eye and ENT Hospital, Fudan University.

Fresh SMILE-derived lenticules underwent excimer laser ablation for stromal reshaping. The ex vivo lenticule transmittance, microstructures and immunogenicity were assessed. A total of 8 eyes of 4 high myopic patients who underwent FS-LASIK&FS-LIKE were recruited. The visual acuity, manifest refraction, corneal topography, and optical coherence tomography images were examined at 1 day, 1month, 3 month and 6 months postoperatively.

All lenticules were immersed in Optisol to achieve an appropriate hydration level. The laser reshaped lenticule showed regularly arranged, smoother surface, good transparency and low immunogenicity. The ablation efficiency of ex vivo lenticule customization were 75%. After implantation, UDVA were improved in general, the SE was decreased from -15.34 ± 3.90 D preoperatively to -1.27 ± 0.46 D postoperatively (P<0.05). The mean anterior keratometric values decreased significantly (P<0.05), whereas the corneal volume did not change significantly (P>0.05). A concave-shaped lenticule with a donut profile epithelial change was observed in OCT image.

Excimer laser ablation is feasible for reshaping SMILE-derived lenticule, and the reshaped lenticule transplantation can safely and effectively correct high myopia. However, the predictability need to be further investigated by using any reshaped SMILE-derived lenticules for transplantation.