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SMILE associated with greater quality-of-life improvements than FS-LASIK

Ophthalmology 360

Key Takeaways

  1. Patients who underwent SMILE reported greater improvements in quality of life than those who received FS-LASIK.
  2. The largest benefits with SMILE were observed in symptom-related outcomes and overall questionnaire scores.

Patients experienced greater quality-of-life improvements following small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) than after femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK), according to a study.

Researchers evaluated 57 patients who underwent FS-LASIK (n = 33) or SMILE (n = 24). Patient quality of life was assessed using the NEI-RQL 42 questionnaire.

Investigators noted significant baseline differences between the groups, with greater refractive error observed among patients in the FS-LASIK cohort.

Patients who underwent SMILE reported greater improvements in quality of life than those who underwent FS-LASIK, with the most notable gains observed in symptom-related measures and overall questionnaire scores.

Reference

Juanarta P, Sirait SN, Kartiwa RA, et al. Beyond 20/20: How Laser Eye Surgery Boosts Quality of Life (SMILE vs. FS-LASIK). J Ophthalmol. 2026;2026:7225757. doi: 10.1155/joph/7225757. PMID: 42266431; PMCID: PMC13244257.

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