Changes In Optic Disc Vessel Density In Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography After Small Incision Lenticule Extraction

To evaluate the changes in peripapillary vessel density after small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) with optical coherence tomography (OCTA) in myopic patients.

Myopic Patients scheduled for SMILE were recruited from the department of ophthalmology, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich.

SMILE was performed on 40 eyes of 20 myopic patients. Ocular measurements including axial length, anterior chamber depth and central corneal thickness were taken before and 1 day after surgery. Optical coherence tomography angiography was used to document the papillary vessel density before, 1 day and 1 week after surgery. Intraocular pressure (IOP), uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), refraction and blood pressure were taken at the same time. IOP was additionally taken right after surgery.

On postoperative day 1, we observed a decrease in vessel density in the superficial and deep retinal layers. Vessle density returned to the preoperative level after 1 week postoperatively without affecting visual acuity. SMILE showed no significant effect on macular thickness. Final results will be presented at ESCRS congress 2022.

Vessel density in our cohort decrease right after SMILE most likely due to decreased blood flow after IOP spikes during SMILE procedure. Vessel density regressed within 1 week without affecting visual acuity.