Advantages and disadvantages of SMILE vs LASIK
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71413/x1car179Keywords:
LASIK, SMILE, FS-LASIK, flap, lenticuleAbstract
Relevance: Comparing the refractive surgery techniques of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) versus small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) helps determine which of the two techniques has more advantages and fewer disadvantages in general, and which may be more advisable for each specific patient based on their characteristics.
Abstract: The objective of this study is to compare the advantages and disadvantages of LASIK (laser in situ keratomileusis) and SMILE (small incision lenticule extraction). LASIK is the most popular technique worldwide, but it is not without complications. An alternative is being sought with SMILE, although its results compared to LASIK are controversial. A literature search was conducted in the PubMed database. 364 articles were found, and the most recent ones that compared one or more aspects of LASIK and SMILE were selected, resulting in a total of 30 articles. The articles comparing the efficacy and safety of both techniques agreed that LASIK and SMILE present good and similar efficacy and safety for the correction of myopia and myopic astigmatism, but SMILE results in a slower recovery. SMILE achieved better results in dry eye parameters. Regarding corneal biomechanics, the results are mixed, but overall there are no significant differences between the two techniques. The same applies to higher-order aberrations. There is a variety of results, but no significant differences are observed in the total aberrations. SMILE has the advantages of avoiding flap-related complications and a lower incidence of dry eye; however, the disadvantages are that it is not available for hyperopia, the possibility of complications related to lenticule extraction, slower visual recovery, and the impossibility of touch-ups using the same technique.
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