| Summary: | <b>Background</b>: In this study, the changes in corneal cap and residual stromal thickness (RST) values during a 180-day observation period after refractive lenticule extraction small incision lenticule extraction (ReLEx SMILE) were assessed. <b>Methods:</b> Fifty patients underwent ReLEx SMILE using the VisuMax 500 femtosecond laser, with corneal imaging conducted pre and post procedure via anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT). Cap thickness in the center and 1.5 mm from the center in four meridians was measured at various intervals. <b>Results:</b> The results showed a significant decrease in cap thickness 180 days post procedure compared to earlier intervals (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Similarly, RST decreased gradually and significantly post procedure (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Notably, changes in cap thickness within the central 1.5 mm area were more dynamic than RST changes during the 6-month observation period following SMILE. <b>Conclusions</b>: The corneal cap thickness measured with swept-source AS-OCT within the central 1.5 mm area underwent more dynamic changes than the residual stromal thickness during the 6-month observation following SMILE.
|
|---|