title: Lenticule Quality After Continuous Curvilinear Lenticulerrhexis in SMILE Evaluated With Scanning Electron Microscopy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the surface characteristics of lenticules extracted by continuous curvilinear lenticulerrhexis (CCL) in small incision lenticule extraction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve eyes treated with small incision lenticule extraction were included in the study and divided into two groups: the CCL and traditional groups. The extracted lenticules were examined with scanning electron microscopy. Both the anterior and the posterior surfaces of the lenticules were accessed. A scoring system was used to evaluate surface characteristics of the lenticules with a full mark of 16.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All of the lenticules in the CCL group exhibited smoothness and regularity on both sides and received scores of 14 or 15. The average score of anterior surfaces was 14.83 ± 0.41 for the CCL group and 14.00 ± 2.45 for the traditional group. The average score for the posterior surfaces was 14.50 ± 0.55 for the CCL group and 14.83 ± 0.41 for the traditional group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The surfaces of lenticules extracted by the CCL technique in small incision lenticule extraction are of good quality.
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Meiyan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Ling
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Yingjun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Xingtao
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhou
mesh_terms: D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D048988:Corneal Surgery, Laser; D006801:Humans; D054018:Lasers, Excimer / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008866:Microsurgery; D009216:Myopia / Q000601:surgery*; D012029:Refraction, Ocular / Q000502:physiology; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology