Postoperative visual outcomes with lenticule extraction in high myopia: a pilot study

Purpose

To evaluate the postoperative visual outcomes from day 1 to 1-year postoperative follow-ups after lenticule extraction in high myopia above −10D

Methods

A retrospective review identified 49 eyes treated with the SCHWIND ATOS using lenticule extraction for high myopia above −10D, with at least 6 months of follow-up. Standard visual and refractive outcomes, as well as astigmatism outcomes, were analyzed.

Results

At the last follow-up, 73 % of the eyes achieved uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) of 20/25 or better. Additionally, 88 % of the eyes had postoperative UDVA within 1 line of preoperative corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), with only 6 % of eyes losing 2 lines of CDVA. The postoperative spherical equivalent (−0.07±0.55D) was within 0.75D in 92 % of the cases, demonstrating excellent stability from 1-week to 1-year postoperative follow-ups (with only 10 % eyes changing by 0.5D of defocus). Postoperative refractive astigmatism (0.10±0.20D) was highly accurate, with 96 % of the cases within 0.5D and 93 % within 5 degrees of the attempted axis. The astigmatic correction index (1.02±0.28) showed 76 % of the cases within 10 % deviation.

Conclusions

In this pilot cohort, lenticule extraction using SCHWIND ATOS for high myopia above −10D is safe and effective. The procedure shows stability from 1-week to 1-year postoperative follow-ups and suggests accurate and precise corrections for both defocus and astigmatism.