Optical and visual quality comparison of implantable collamer lens and femtosecond laser assisted laser in situ keratomileusis for high myopia correction

AIM: To compare clinical outcomes and refractive stability of implantable collamer lens (ICL) implantation and femtosecond laser assisted laser in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK) for high myopia correction. METHODS: The Optical Quality Analysis System (OQAS) was used to evaluate clinical outcomes objectively after operation for high myopia correction. We compared the two procedures in terms of 1-year changes in uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), safety index, efficacy index, spherical equivalent, modulation transfer function (MTF) cutoff frequency, strehl ratio (SR) and objective scatter index (OSI). RESULTS: At 1y postoperatively, the safety indices were 1.33±0.27 in ICL group, and 1.17±0.24 in FS-LASIK group. 39.58% in the ICL group and 27.59% in the FS-LASIK group gained CDVA in 2 lines or better than that in preoperative CDVA. The efficacy indices were 1.28±0.22 in ICL group, and 1.13±0.26 in FS-LASIK group. The changes of spherical equivalent from 1wk to 1y postoperatively was -0.12±0.37 D in ICL group, and -0.79±0.58 D in FS-LASIK group (P<0.05). Spherical equivalent within ±0.50 D was achieved in 97.92% in ICL group and 68.97% in FS-LASIK group. MTF cutoff frequency were higher with ICL as compared to FS-LASIK (P<0.05) at each postoperative follow-up stage; for postoperative 1mo later, SR was statistically significant difference between two groups (P<0.05); with no statistically significant difference in OSI between two groups (P>0.05) in postoperative 3mo later. CONCLUSION: ICL implantation and FS-LASIK procedures both provide good safety and predictability in high myopia correction. ICL implantation provides better clinical outcomes and refractive stability than FS-LASIK.