Significance: A relatively long period of time is required for visual recovery after small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE), limiting its possible widespread application. The aim of this study was to compare the impact of different defined daily dose systems of 0.1% fluorometholone in the very early phase after SMILE operation.
Methods: One hundred and eighty patients (360 eyes) treated with SMILE were divided into three groups. Group A: 60 patients (120 eyes were not given any 0.1% FML; Group B: 60 patients (120 eyes, were given 0.1% fluorometholone once every hour); Group C: 60 patients (120 eyes, were given 0.1% fluorometholone every half an hour). Visual acuity, incidence of subject symptoms and optical quality were assessed at 2, 4 and 24 h postoperatively.
Results: The optical quality in group C was significantly higher than the other two groups (p < 0.0001). The incidence of subject symptoms in group C was also notably lower. There were no significant differences between patient groups at 24h.
Conclusions: In conclusion, corneal healing, visual and optical quality assessment of patients treated with 0.1% fluorometholone (q1/2h) in the first 2h after SMILE were significantly improved in the very early postoperative phase.