Abstract
To compare the predictability of central corneal thickness (CCT) reduction in myopic patients undergoing femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK) using the aberration-optimized (Triple-A) and topography-guided (TG) profiles on the MEL 90 platform. This study involved 82 patients, treating one eye with the Triple-A profile and the other with the TG profile on the MEL 90, with an average spherical equivalent of − 5.76 ± 2.02 D (Triple-A) and − 5.79 ± 1.90 D (TG). Refractive assessments were done preoperatively and at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months postoperatively. Achieved CCT reduction (via Pentacam) = CCTpre-op-CCTpost-op. The MEL 90 platform provided the predicted CCT reduction, and comparative statistical methods and linear regression analyses were conducted. The 3-month CCT reduction was underestimated by 5.18 ± 7.41 μm in the Triple-A group (P < 0.0001) and by 14.44 ± 10.10 μm in the TG group (P < 0.0001). The planned CCT reduction in the TG group was much smaller than that in the Triple-A group (P < 0.0001), yet the achieved reduction was greater (P = 0.034), mainly in moderate myopia (P = 0.012). Moreover, subgroup analyses indicated that these differences were present exclusively in moderate to high myopia. As the corrected refraction increased, the planned-achieved difference (PAD) also increased. For patients with moderate and high myopia, both Triple-A and TG profiles of FS-LASIK on the MEL 90 laser platform may underestimate the CCT reduction. TG LASIK does not save corneal tissue but even consumes more of it in moderate myopia.
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Data availability
The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are not publicly available but are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
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Funding
Funded by the Ningbo Clinical Research Center for Ophthalmology (2022L003), the Public Welfare Research Project of Ningbo City (2024S179), and the Ningbo Eye Hospital Youth Project (2023QN003).
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Study concept and design: XJ, YL, QH were responsible for this task. Data collection: Accomplished by ZZ and WM. Data analysis and interpretation: Conducted jointly by XJ and YZ. Drafting of the manuscript: Undertaken by XJ and JC. Critical revision of the manuscript: Involving XJ, QH, and YL. Supervision: Provided by QH and YL. All authors have reviewed and granted their approval for the final manuscript.
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Jiang, X., Zhang, Z., Mao, W. et al. Predictability comparison of central corneal thickness reduction in myopic eyes with or without astigmatism undergoing FS-LASIK with two profiles of MEL 90. Sci Rep (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-41492-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-41492-5
