What is it about?
This is a longitudinal study where clinical exam and confocal microscopy is performed at many time points. In lasik surgery, a flap with a hinge is lifted and laser ablation is performed on the underlying corneal stromal bed. The flap is replaced after the ablation. In smile surgery there is no flap creation and we expect less disturbance of the superficial cornea nerves. The superficial cornea nerves play an important role in the health of the cornea because they are the sensory fibers which tell the tear glands of the eye to secrete tears. Lack of tear secretion may result in ocular surface inflammation post op.
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Why is it important?
SMILE and LASIK are both commonly performed nowadays. For some patients, it may be suitable to do SMILE rather than LASIK, however, we don't have any corneal nerve test at the moment that can advise the patient one way or another before the surgery.
Perspectives
Refractive procedures are the second most common eye surgeries after cataract surgery.
Prof Louis Tong
National University of Singapore
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Comparison of tear proteomic and neuromediator profiles changes between small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) and femtosecond laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK), Journal of Advanced Research, March 2021, Elsevier,
DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2020.11.001.
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