Evaluation of morphological features: femtosecond-LASIK flap vs. SMILE cap, and the effects on corneal higher-order aberrations

Purpose The aim of this study is to evaluate morphological features of corneal flap/cap and the correlations with corneal higher-order aberrations (HOAs) changes after femtosecond laser in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK) and small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE). Methods This was a retrospective study. Pre- and postoperative (1 and 3 months) corneal HOAs were assessed with Pentacam HR. The corneal flap/cap thickness at 32 points (± 1.5 mm, ± 2 mm, ± 2.5 mm, and ± 3 mm from the corneal vertex on meridian 0°/45°/90°/135°) were measured using anterior segment optical coherence tomography at 3 months postoperatively. Morphological features of corneal flap/cap including predictability (P), uniformity (U), and symmetry (S) were calculated and used for correlation analysis with corneal HOAs changes. Results Eighty-six eyes (44 patients) and ninety-six eyes (50 patients) were involved in FS-LASIK and SMILE groups, respectively. Significant thicker corneal flap/cap than the predicted was observed at each measuring point and meridian in both groups (difference > 2.225 μm, the within-subject standard deviation over 6-mm optical zone). There was no statistically significant difference in predictability of corneal flap/cap thickness, while U 6 mm ( P < .0001), U 0 ( P < .001), U 45 ( P = .002), U 90 ( P < .0001), U 135 ( P = .004), S 6 mm ( P < .0001), S 0 ( P < .001), and S 90 ( P < .0001) over 6 mm zone were less in SMILE than in FS-LASIK. The changes of corneal tHOAs, Z (3, − 1), Z (3, 1), and SA were significantly correlated with morphological features of corneal flap/cap. Conclusion Both FS-LASIK and SMILE had good predictability in flap or cap thickness, while the uniformity and symmetry of SMILE cap were better than FS-LASIK flap. The quality of flap/cap was closely associated with the changes of corneal HOAs.