LASIK iDesign vs SMILE

Both SMILE and LASIK treatments are FDA-approved and are both performed routinely as standard of care surgery in the US Military. However, there is limited literature comparing quality of vision after LASIK using iDesign and SMILE refractive surgery. Our objective is to study the 6-month visual outcomes (high and 5% low contrast visual acuity, refractive error, higher order aberrations) and subject reported quality of vision (i.e., double vision, glare, starburst, halos, etc.) and dry eye symptoms using the PROWL and SPEED questionnaires following contralateral LASIK using iDesign and SMILE surgery. This is a prospective randomized contralateral study, including 57 subjects. Once consented to participate in the study, subjects will have a comprehensive ocular examination to determine eligibility to undergo simultaneous SMILE surgery in one eye and LASIK using iDesign on the contralateral eye to correct myopia. Surgical treatment will be randomized so there is a 50% chance to receive SMILE on the right eye and LASIK on the contralateral eye. Subjects will receive standard of care topical ophthalmic antibiotic and steroid drops. Visual outcomes and patient self-reported symptoms will be assessed at day 1, week 2, month 1, month 3, and month 6.