AIM: To evaluate the changes of dry eye and tear film stability after small incision lenticule extraction(SMILE)or femtosecond laser in situ keratomileusis(FS-LASIK).

METHODS: Sixty cases(120 eyes)accepted refractive surgery from January to June 2015 was retrospectively analyzed, in which 30 cases(60 eyes)were performed SMILE(SMILE group), 30 cases(60 eyes)were performed FS-LASIK(FS-LASIK group).The symptoms of dry eye, corneal fluorescein staining(FL), Schirmer Ⅰtest(SⅠt), tear break-up time(BUT)were observed and compared preoperatively, 1wk, 1,3 and 6mo postoperatively.

RESULTS: The score of symptoms of dry eye in SMILE group were 0.36±0.48, 0.15±0.36, and 0.95±0.59, 0.36±0.60 in FS-LASIK group at postoperative 1wk and 1mo, the difference was statistically significant, respectively(t=-5.885, P<0.01; t=-2.370,P=0.019). The score of FL in SMILE group were 1.13±0.72, 0.68±0.50, and 1.85±0.79, 1.38±0.55 in FS-LASIK group at postoperative 1wk and 1mo, the difference was statistically significant, respectively(t=-5.149, P<0.01; t=-7.232, P<0.01). The SⅠt in SMILE group were 13.11±1.93, 13.81±1.61, 14.45±1.51, and 8.76±1.36, 10.60±2.08, 11.85±2.42mm/5min in FS-LASIK group at postoperative 1wk,1mo and 3mo, the difference was statistically significant, respectively(t=14.228, P<0.01; t=9.459, P<0.01; t=7.042, P<0.01). The BUT in SMILE group were 11.15±1.71s, 12.15±1.69s, 12.51±1.83s, and 8.55±1.19s, 9.68±1.40s, 10.93±1.90s in FS-LASIK group at postoperative 1wk,1mo and 3mo, the difference was statistically significant, respectively(t=9.622,P<0.01; t=8.669,P<0.01; t=4.637,P<0.01).

CONCLUSION: SMILE is more comfortable compared to FS-LASIK with smaller incision, faster corneal recovery and slighter postoperative dry eye sensation.