First efficacy and safety study of femtosecond lenticule extraction for the correction of myopia: six-month results.
OBJECTIVE
To prospectively study the feasibility of femtosecond lenticule extraction (FLE), a new method of refractive correction.


METHODS
Department of Ophthalmology, Philipps University of Marburg and Helios Clinic, Erfurt, Germany.


METHODS
A flap and a lenticule of intrastromal corneal tissue were simultaneously cut with a VisuMax femtosecond laser system. Next, the lenticule was manually removed and the flap repositioned. The target refraction in all cases was -0.75 diopter (D).


RESULTS
All 10 myopic eyes in the initial treatment group completed the final 6-month follow-up. The mean patient age was 39 years. The mean spherical equivalent (SE) was -4.73 +/- 1.48 (SD) preoperatively and -0.33 +/- 0.61 D 6 months postoperatively. Ninety percent of eyes were within +/-1.00 D and 40% were within +/-0.50 D of the intended correction. No eye lost 2 or more Snellen lines. Corneal topography showed large, prolate optical zones. Aberrometry showed no significant induction of higher-order aberrations. On a standardized questionnaire, all patients said they were very satisfied with the results.


CONCLUSIONS
Preliminary results indicate that FLEx [corrected] is a promising new corneal refractive procedure to correct myopia.
Sekundo
Walter
W
Department of Ophthalmology, Gutenberg University, Langenbeckstrasse 1, Mainz, Germany. sekundo@augen.klinik.uni-mainz.de
Kunert
Kathleen
K
Russmann
Christoph
C
Gille
Annika
A
Bissmann
Wilfried
W
Stobrawa
Gregor
G
Sticker
Markus
M
Bischoff
Mark
M
Blum
Marcus
M
D000328:Adult; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000601:surgery*; D048988:Corneal Surgery, Laser / Q000379:methods*; D019781:Corneal Topography; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D054018:Lasers, Excimer / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009216:Myopia / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology