Evolution of corneal thickness and optical density after laser in situ keratomileusis versus small incision lenticule extraction for myopia correction

Abstract

Both LASIK flaps and SMILE caps show a significant postoperative rethickening. SMILE corneas present higher optical densities than LASIK corneas in the early postoperative period, with a significant decrease thereafter and up to 3 months. These findings correlate with the delayed visual recovery observed after SMILE.