Keratorefractive Lenticule Extraction Using the Ziemer FEMTO LDV Z8 Platform (CLEAR): One-Year Results.

Purpose: To present the outcomes and detail the surgical procedure employed in the initial 102 eyes treated with keratorefractive lenticule extraction (KLEx) using the FEMTO LDV Z8 platform (Ziemer Ophthalmic Systems).

Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of 102 eyes of 53 patients treated with KLEx at the American University of Beirut Medical Center. Visual, refractive, topographic, and aberrometric parameters were evaluated 1 week and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively.

Results: Mean preoperative spherical equivalent refraction (SEQ) was -4.11 ± 1.82 diopters (D) (range: -10.00 to -1.625 D) and mean preoperative cylinder was -0.75 ± 0.65 D (range: -3.00 to 0.00 D). Postoperatively, the mean SEQ was 0.06 ± 0.54 D (range: -2.88 to +1.00 D) at 1 week and -0.04 ± 0.26 D at 12 months and was within ±0.50 D in 95.6% and ±1.00 D in 100% of eyes. A total of 96.7% of eyes had an uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) of 20/20 at 12 months postoperatively. Fifty percent gained one or more lines of corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), 5 eyes (5.4%) lost one line, and none lost two or more lines. No suction losses were encountered and all extracted lenticules were intact without tears.

Conclusions: The application of KLEx using the FEMTO LDV Z8 platform yields safe and effective outcomes, aligning comparably with established modes of lenticule extraction and femtosecond laser-assisted laser in situ keratomileusis procedures previously employed and accepted within the field of refractive surgery. [J Refract Surg. 2024;40(11):e898-e905.].