Comparison of corneal biomechanics in post-smile, post-LASEK, and normal eyes with Brillouin microscopy

作者：Yanze Yu, Jian Cao, Yong Ma, Yongle Bao, Lingling Niu, Xiaoying Wang, Xingtao Zhou, Jing Zhao · 发表于：Journal of Optometry · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1016/j.optom.2025.100579 · 被引用次数：3 · 研究领域：Corneal surgery and disorders、Ophthalmology and Visual Impairment Studies、Glaucoma and retinal disorders

PURPOSE: To characterize corneal biomechanics in post-small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE), post-laser-assisted subepithelial keratomileusis (LASEK), and normal eyes using Brillouin microscopy. METHODS: This study included myopic patients who underwent corneal refractive surgery (SMILE or LASEK) at least 1 month prior to ensure corneal stability. A total of 177 eyes (79 post-SMILE, 24 post-LASEK, and 74 untreated normal eyes) from 177 patients were evaluated using Pentacam HR and Brillouin microscopy for morphological and biomechanical assessment, respectively. Among them, 30 eyes (20 post-SMILE and 10 post-LASEK) from 30 participants underwent both pre- and post-operative Brillouin and Pentacam examinations, enabling within-subject comparisons. Corneal biomechanics were assessed using Brillouin modulus (BM), where lower values indicate weaker biomechanical properties. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed in Central BM, Mean BM, or Max BM among the groups. Compared with the normal eyes, Min BM was significantly lower in the post-SMILE and post-LASEK groups (P = 0.004 and 0.002, respectively) and Max-Min BM significantly increased after SMILE and LASEK (both P < 0.001). In post-SMILE corneas, standardized deviation BM was significantly higher than in normal corneas (P < 0.001). Within-subjects comparisons (pre- vs post-operation) further confirmed above results. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed a negative correlation between Central BM and post-...