DR. SHEETAL BRAR

, Dr. SRI GANESH, Dr.Hemali Bhavsar, Dr. VANGA HEMANTH REDDY

Abstract

Year 1949…a historic landmark in refractive surgery, when José Ignacio Barraquer laid the groundwork for the use of natural corneal tissue to change the refractive properties of the eye. Unfortunately, due to various problems associated with the technique, it could not gain enough popularity. However, year 2013-14, saw a resurgence of tissue addition, wherein the feasibility of using cryopreserved SMILE lenticules for management of high hyperopia. Back then, the procedure was exploratory and involved creation of a stromal pocket using a femtolaser at 160 microns followed by insertion of a SMILE derived myopic lenticule, in order to correct hyperopia in the recipient eye. Since then, the technique evolved, received many names, and taught us important lessons, that helped improve the safety, and refractive accuracy of the procedure. Through this film, we wish to share some of our learnings, which may prove to be useful for surgeons wishing to explore this exciting possibility.