Abstract:Objective To explore the efficacy and safety of femtosecond laser small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) in patients with refractive errors.Methods The 92 patients with refractive errors (184 affected eyes) who underwent corneal refractive therapy at Ziyang Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital from October 2022 to December 2023 were selected. Using a random number table method, they were divided into the SMILE group and the femtosecond laser-assisted laser in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK) group, with 46 cases (92 affected eyes) in each group. The patients in the SMILE group received SMILE treatment, while those in the FS-LASIK group received FS-LASIK treatment. The uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), corneal Q value, surface regularity index (SRI), and lipid layer thickness were compared between the two groups before treatment, 1 month after treatment, and 6 months after treatment.Results The comparison of UCVA, BCVA, corneal Q value, SRI and lipid layer thickness in the SMILE group and the FS-LASIK group before treatment, 1 month after treatment, and 6 months after treatment showed that all (P < 0.05) but not lipid layer thickness (P > 0.05) were different among the time points, and that UCVA, BCVA and lipid layer thickness were not different (P > 0.05) but corneal Q value and SRI were different between the two groups (P < 0.05). The change trends of UCVA, BCVA, corneal Q value and SRI (P < 0.05) but not the change trend of lipid layer thickness (P > 0.05) were different between the two groups. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complications between the two groups (P > 0.05).Conclusions SMILE for the treatment of refractive errors helps reduce morphological changes and damage to the cornea, improves postoperative corneal stability, and promotes faster recovery of vision after surgery.