We also noted that the degree of biomechanical weakening of the cornea was greater in the 140-µm cap group compared to the 120-µm cap group, which is reflected by the greater differences in the sensitive corneal (shape) deformation DCR parameters (i.e. the DA ratio and integrated inverse radius) in the 140-µm cap group. As mentioned earlier, the greater lenticule thickness needed to provide comparable refractive outcomes in the 140-µm group results in a thinner residual stromal bed post-operatively, leading to the difference in the changes of the DA ratio and integrated inverse radius between the two groups. The post hoc power of changes in DA ratio and integrated inverse radius was 0.67 and 0.70, respectively. Surprisingly, the differences retained statistical significance even after adjusting for CCT, and SE changes before and after surgery (using the ANCOVA). A previous study that evaluated corneal biomechanics after SMILE in rabbit eyes showed that the second applanation time was shorter in the 100-µm cap than that in the 160-µm cap 4 months after surgery: the context of these findings is the same as that of our results, because an earlier recovery time is consistent with a stronger cornea.
30 Recently, Wu et al. reported that the changes in DA, second applanation time, and integrated radius were less in the 110-µm cap than that in the 140-µm cap with a contralateral study design, indicating less biomechanical weakening with the thinner flap, consistent with the current study, but without a nomogram adjustment.
31 In this case, the thinner cap was associated with a significantly thicker residual stromal bed, also consistent with the current study. Another study showed that SMILE with a 160-µm cap had a less pronounced effect on the CH and CRF measured using the ORA than that with a 100-µm cap.
3 However, CH and CRF represent ability to dissipate energy, rather than a change in stiffness. An ex vivo study
17 that used inflation testing on human donor corneas revealed that the reduction in the biomechanical strength was not significantly different in the 110-µm cap than that in the 160-µm cap. However, there were only 8 donor eyes in each group, and the study also reported greater myopic correction with 110-µm cap, consistent with our nomogram for greater lenticule thickness with thicker caps, as well as reporting less posterior steepening with the 110-µm cap, which is indicative of less biomechanical response, also consistent with the current study. Studies on the corneal wound healing process have shown that significant stromal remodeling does not occur except at the flap margin, which is beneficial in reducing corneal scarring or haze, but may have a detrimental effect on corneal stiffness (i.e. decrease it).
39 The complete reconstruction of the interlinks across an interface requires a considerably long period of time, and may perhaps, never occur. Furthermore, the vertical corneal wound also remains weak, even though it appears fully healed.
40,41 Hence, the strength of the cap may be weaker than that of the residual corneal bed after SMILE. Liu et al.
28 reported that the corneal wound healing response lower in the 140-µm cap compared to the 120-µm cap. However, the tensile strength of anterior stroma is higher than posterior, and mathematical model predicted that the thicker the cap thickness, the greater postoperative total tensile strength, although it does not consider the effect of the side incision or the mismatch between the arclength of the posterior cap versus the anterior residual stromal bed.
15 Further research is continually needed to draw conclusions in this regard.