Evaluation of disk halo size after small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE)

To investigate changes in objective disk halo size produced by a glare source after small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) for myopia correction.

This prospective clinical study included 45 right eyes of 45 patients with a mean age of 25.40 ± 5.06 years and mean spherical equivalent (SE) of − 6.08 ± 1.90 diopters. Disk halo size was measured with a vision monitor before surgery and at postoperative 1 week and 3 months. Other information was collected, including age, SE, lenticule thickness, lenticule diameter, dark pupil, and pupillary response to light parameters (initial diameter; amplitude, latency, duration, and velocity of contraction; latency, duration, and velocity of dilation; and maximum, minimum, and average pupil size).

Compared to preoperative values, disk halo size increased significantly at postoperative 1 week (P = 0.026) and returned to baseline at postoperative 3 months (P = 0.349). Preoperative disk halo size significantly correlated with SE (r = − 0.346, P = 0.020), minimum pupil size (r = 0.365, P = 0.014), and average pupil size (r = 0.310, P = 0.038). Disk halo size at postoperative 1 week was significantly correlated with age (r = 0.324, P = 0.030) and minimum pupil size (r = 0.297, P = 0.047). Disk halo size at postoperative 3 months was significantly correlated with lenticule diameter (r = − 0.362, P = 0.015), initial diameter (r = 0.311, P = 0.037), maximum pupil size (r = 0.312, P = 0.037), minimum pupil size (r = 0.440, P = 0.002), and average pupil size (r = 0.373, P = 0.012).

After SMILE, disk halo size demonstrated a temporary increase and then returned to baseline.