Fig 1.
Flow chart showing literature search strategy.
LASIK = laser in situ keratomileusis; SMILE = small incision lenticule extraction; FLEx = femtosecond lenticule extraction; RCTs = randomized controlled trials. From: Moher D, Liberati A, Tetzlaff J, Altman DG, The PRISMA Group (2009). Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: The PRISMA Statement. PloS Med 6(7): e1000097. doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed1000097.
Table 1.
Characteristics of Studies Included in the Meta-Analysis Comparing the Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE) and Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Laser in Situ Keratomileusis (FS-LASIK).
Table 2.
Jadad Scale for Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs).
Table 3.
Newcastle–Ottawa Scale for Observational Studies (cohorts).
Fig 2.
Forest plot showing the mean difference (MD) of tear breakup time (TBUT) comparing small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) with femtosecond laser-assisted laser in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK) (A) preoperatively and in postoperative visits at (B) one week, (C) one month, (D) three months and (E) six months. Forest plot showing the MD of TBUT in the (F) SMILE and (G) FS-LASIK groups at six months postoperatively compared with preoperatively.
CI = confidence interval; SD = standard deviation.
Table 4.
Results of the examination of the forest plots (p value).
Fig 3.
Forest plot showing the mean difference (MD) on the Schirmer’s I test (SIT) comparing small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) with femtosecond laser-assisted laser in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK) (A) preoperatively and in postoperative visits at (B) one week, (C) one month, (D) three months and (E) six months. Forest plot showing the MD of SIT in the (F) SMILE and (G) FS-LASIK groups at six months postoperatively compared with preoperatively.
CI = confidence interval; SD = standard deviation.
Fig 4.
Forest plot showing the mean difference (MD) in ocular surface disease index (OSDI) comparing small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) with femtosecond laser-assisted laser in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK) (A) preoperatively and in postoperative visits at (B) one month, (C) three months and (D) six months. Forest plot showing the MD of OSDI in the (E) SMILE and (F) FS-LASIK groups at six months postoperatively compared with preoperatively.
CI = confidence interval; SD = standard deviation.
Fig 5.
Forest plot showing the mean difference (MD) in tear film osmolarity (TFO) comparing small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) with femtosecond laser-assisted laser in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK) at (A) one month and (B) six months postoperatively.
CI = confidence interval; SD = standard deviation.