title: One-year refractive results, contrast sensitivity, high-order aberrations and complications after myopic small-incision lenticule extraction (ReLEx SMILE).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To report one year results of the first cohort of routine refractive lenticule extraction through a small incision (ReLEx SMILE) for correction of myopia and myopic astigmatism.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-four eyes of 27 patients with spherical equivalent of -4.68 ± 1.29D who underwent routine ReLEx SMILE by a single surgeon were prospectively followed-up for 1 year. We used the VisuMax femtosecond laser system (Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, Germany) with a 500 kHz repetition rate. Folow-up intervals were at 1 day, 1 week, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. We obtained following parameters: uncorrected (UDVA) and distance-corrected visual acuity (CDVA), contrast sensitivity, and wave front measurements. We also recorded all complications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Because of suction loss in one eye, 12-month results were obtained in 53 eyes as follows. After 1 year, 88% of eyes with plano target had an UDVA of 20/20 or better. Twelve percent of eyes lost 1 line of CDVA, while 31% gained 1 line and 3% gained 2 lines. The mean SE after 1 year was -0.19 ± 0.19. The mean refraction change between month 1 and 12 was 0.08 D. Neither mesopic nor photopic contrast sensitivity showed any significant changes. The high-order aberrations (HOA) increased from 0.17 to 0.27 μm (Malacara notation). No visually threatening complications were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this first cohort, ReLEx SMILE produced satisfactory refractive outcomes with moderate induction of HOA and unaffected contrast sensitivity after 1 year.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Philipps University of Marburg, Baldinger Strasse, Marburg, 35043, Germany, sekundo@med.uni-marburg.de.
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Sekundo
authors.forename: Jana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gertnere
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bertelmann
authors.forename: Igor
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Solomatin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001251:Astigmatism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D015350:Contrast Sensitivity / Q000502:physiology*; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000601:surgery; D048988:Corneal Surgery, Laser / Q000379:methods*; D019781:Corneal Topography; D057108:Corneal Wavefront Aberration / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054018:Lasers, Excimer / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D059032:Learning Curve; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods; D009216:Myopia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult