J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2015 Aug;56(8):1274-1277. 10.3341/jkos.2015.56.8.1274.

A Case of Suction Loss During SMILE and a Switch to LASIK

• Kim BK
• Mun SJ
• Lee DG
• Chung YT

• KMID: 2215082
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/jkos.2015.56.8.1274

Abstract

PURPOSE
To report a case of suction loss during small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) and a good visual outcome after switching to femtosecond laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK).
CASE SUMMARY
A 20-year-old female was admitted to receive refractive surgery. During SMILE in the left eye, suction loss occurred at 65% of posterior cut completion. We switched to LASIK and SMILE was performed in the right eye as planned. The uncorrected distance visual acuity was 1.2 with a manifest refraction of +0.25 Dsph with 0 Dcyl. The patient had no complications at 3 months postoperatively.
CONCLUSIONS
Suction loss during SMILE is a rare complication. Good visual outcome was achieved by switching to LASIK.

Keyword

Small incision lenticule extraction; SMILE; Suction loss

MeSH Terms

Female
Humans
Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ*
Refractive Surgical Procedures
Suction*
Visual Acuity
Young Adult

Figure

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  Figure 1. Locations of the various cuts made in small incision lenticule extraction.

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  Figure 2. (A) Beginning of posterior lenticule cut, sign of suction loss is seen at 6 o’clock direction. (B) Suction loss started after 65% of the posterior lenticule had been cut. (C) Suction loss is completed.

Reference

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