Preliminary Evidence of Successful Enhancement After a Primary SMILE Procedure With the Sub-CapLenticule-Extraction Technique

PURPOSE: To describe a modified small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) procedure called sub-cap-lenticule-extraction (SubCap-LE) for refractive enhancement after SMILE. METHODS: Case report. RESULTS: A 53-year-old woman who underwent bilateral SMILE for moderate myopia complained of blurred vision at distance postoperatively. The manifest postoperative refraction in the eye targeted for distance was-1.0 -1.0 x 5 degrees. She was scheduled for an enhancement applying a new technique that permits the surgeon to use the previously created interface as the new superior plane of the new lenticule. Postoperatively, uncorrected visual acuity improved from 20/63 to 20/16. CONCLUSIONS: This first case report demonstrates the feasibility of an enhancement with the SubCap-LE procedure after a primary SMILE procedure. More cases are needed to develop a consistent surgical protocol.