Comparison of refractive and visual outcomes between image-guided system–assisted small-incision lenticule extraction and wavefront-optimized FS-LASIK in treatment of high astigmatism

To compare the refractive and visual results of image-guided system-assisted small-incision lenticule extraction (IGA-SMILE) and wavefront-optimized femtosecond laser in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK) in the treatment of high astigmatism.Osmangazi Aritmi Hospital, Bursa, Turkey.Retrospective.This retrospective case-matched study included 64 eyes that had undergone IGA-SMILE and 64 eyes that had undergone wavefront-optimized FS-LASIK. The mean preoperative myopia and astigmatism were -4.05 ± 1.98 diopter (D) and 3.11 ± 1.06 D in the IGA-SMILE group and -4.21 ± 2.23 D and -3.15 ± 0.62 D in the FS-LASIK group, respectively. One year later, visual and refractive results were compared in the groups. Vector analysis based on Alpins method was performed to evaluate astigmatic treatment.128 eyes of 128 patients were included in this study. At 1 year, the residual astigmatism was -0.21 ± 0.25 D in the IGA-SMILE group and -0.21 ± 0.24 D in the FS-LASIK group ( P = .305). In the IGA-SMILE group, 57 eyes (89.1%) achieved uncorrected distance visual acuity of 20/20 or better, as did 56 eyes (85.9%) in the FS-LASIK group. Vector analysis results demonstrated that the difference vectors were 0.22 ± 0.24 D and 0.21 ± 0.22 D ( P = .230), the correction indexes were 0.95 ± 0.08 and 0.95 ± 0.08 ( P = .239), and the indices of success were 0.08 ± 0.09 and 0.08 ± 0.09 ( P = .248) in the IGA-SMILE and the FS-LASIK groups, respectively.The combination of an image-guided system with SMILE resulted in high efficacy and safety indices that were comparable with FS-LASIK surgery.