Low-energy SMILE outcomes comparable to LASIK
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KOLOA, Hawaii — Low-energy SMILE procedures resulted in similar visual acuity and higher-order aberrations at 1 day and 1 month postoperatively when compared with LASIK procedures in a retrospective study, according to a speaker here.
“SMILE is a minimally invasive procedure with LASIK-like outcomes. It is very well received with very high patient satisfaction rates at 96% in its FDA study. It’s a one-stop shop. Patients aren’t swinging side to side; patients aren’t getting different lasers. You laser the patient and then remove the lenticule,” Kathryn M. Hatch, MD, said at Hawaiian Eye 2020.
First approved by the FDA in 2016, SMILE is a flapless procedure with high patient satisfaction. Patients have no restrictions after the surgery and experience fewer dry eye symptoms compared with LASIK, Hatch said.
In 2018, the FDA approved ReLEx SMILE to treat myopia with astigmatism, which is performed with a VisuMax femtosecond laser (Zeiss).
Hatch presented data from a retrospective study evaluating outcomes over 12 months in 262 eyes undergoing either low-energy SMILE, high-energy SMILE or LASIK.
Patients who underwent low-energy SMILE experienced statistically significant improvement in postoperative day 1 and month 1 visual acuities and 20/20 vision, Hatch said.
Compared with LASIK, low-energy SMILE patients experienced similar statistically significant improvements in visual acuity at day 1 and month 1 postoperatively, she said.
“SMILE is a great alternative in addition to your laser practice. It is comparable postoperatively at day 1 for vision, and it offers an excellent patient experience,” she said. – by Robert Linnehan
Reference:
Hatch K. SMILE update now that toric is approved. Presented at: Hawaiian Eye 2020; Jan. 18-24, 2020; Koloa, Hawaii.
Disclosure: Hatch reports she has relevant financial disclosures with Zeiss.