Femtosecond Intrastromal Lenticule Implantation (FILI) for Management of Moderate to High Hyperopia: 5-Year Outcomes

Abstract

PURPOSE: To report the long-term clinical experience following femtosecond intrastromal lenticule implantation (FILI) for the management of moderate to high hyperopia. METHODS: Eligible patients who underwent FILI for moderate to high hyperopia from July 2013 to October 2020 were included. A donor small incision lenticule extraction lenticule, matched for refractive error, was implanted into the recipient's corneal pocket created using a femtosecond laser at 160 µm depth. Visual and refractive outcomes and long-term complications were evaluated at the end of a mean follow-up of 68 ± 17.28 months (5.6 years). RESULTS: Forty-two eyes of 25 patients (mean age: 27.29 ± 5.52 years) were analyzed. The mean spherical equivalent reduced significantly from +5.50 ± 1.96 to +0.66 ± 1.17 diopters (D) at last follow-up visit. Thirty eyes (71%) were within ±1.00 D of spherical equivalent correction. Cumulative uncorrected distance visual acuity of 20/40 or better was achieved in 34 eyes (81%). Efficacy and safety indices were 0.86 ± 0.19 and 1.17 ± 0.39, respectively. There was a significant increase in mean keratometry (Kmean) anterior, central corneal thickness, Q-value, and corneal higher order aberrations and a decrease in Kmean posterior 2 weeks postoperatively, without any significant change in these parameters thereafter ( P > .05). Four eyes of 3 patients underwent enhancement and another 4 eyes underwent explantation of the lenticule followed by exchange (2 eyes) and hyperopic laser in situ keratomileusis (2 eyes). No eye lost more than one line of CDVA. CONCLUSIONS: At 5 years of follow-up, FILI for moderate to high hyperopia showed good safety, efficacy, and reversibility. Modification of nomograms and surgical planning may be employed for further refinement of the outcomes. [ J Refract Surg. 2022;38(6):348–354.]