Intraocular pressure changes and corneal biomechanics after hyperopic small-incision lenticule extraction

Abstract

Background: We aimed to compare the intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements by a dynamic Scheimpflug analyzer (Corvis ST), a non-contact tonometer, and an ocular response analyzer after hyperopic small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE).Methods: Thirteen patients who underwent hyperopic SMILE in one eye were enrolled prospectively. IOP and corneal biomechanical parameters were measured preoperatively and at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months postoperatively with a non-contact tonometer (IOPNCT), Corvis ST (biomechanical corrected IOP and biomechanical corrected IOP measured with Corvis ST [bIOP]), and an ocular response analyzer (Goldmann-correlated intraocular pressure [IOPg] and cornea compensated IOP [IOPcc]). A linear mixed model was used to compare the IOP and biomechanical values among methods at each time point.Results: IOPNCT, IOPg, and IOPcc dropped significantly after surgery, with the amplitude being 3.15±0.48 mmHg, 5.49±0.94 mmHg, and 4.34±0.97 mmHg, respectively, at the last follow-up visit. IOPNCT decreased by 0.11±0.06 mmHg per µm of excised central corneal thickness. bIOP did not change significantly after surgery. Preoperatively, no difference was found among the measurements (P> 0.05). Postoperatively, IOPNCT and bIOP were higher than IOPg and IOPcc. bIOP was independent of cornea thickness at last follow-up visit, whereas it correlated significantly with corneal biomechanics similar to the other three IOP values.Conclusion: bIOP is a relative accurate measure of IOP after hyperopic SMILE.