Comparison of Perioperative Contrast Sensitivity between Laser in situ Keratomileusis and Small-incision Lenticule Extraction

Purpose: To compare contrast sensitivity before and after surgery in patients who underwent laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE). Methods: From February 2019 to April 2019, 20 patients who underwent LASIK, and 21 who underwent SMILE, were compared before, one day, one week, and one month after surgery. Results: On postoperative day (POD) 1, contrast sensitivity was better in the LASIK group than in the SMILE group under all conditions for 1.6, 1, and 0.64 cycles per degree (cpd). One week after surgery, the contrast sensitivity of the LASIK group was better than that of the SMILE group under photopic conditions with glare for 1.6, 1, and 0.64 cpd, under photopic conditions without glare for 1 and 0.64 cpd, and under all scotopic conditions for 2.5, 1.6, and 0.64 cpd (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups, except under the scotopic conditions without glare for 0.64 cpd at one month after surgery. In the LASIK group, the contrast sensitivity was best at one week after surgery. The SMILE group showed the poorest contrast sensitivity on POD 1, but this gradually improved. Conclusions: The LASIK group had better contrast sensitivity on one day and one week after surgery than the SMILE group, but there was no significant difference at one month after surgery. In the LASIK group, the contrast sensitivity was best at one week after surgery. In the SMILE group, the contrast sensitivity was worst on POD 1. J Korean Ophthalmol Soc 2020;61(8):890-896