Lenticule Implantation (Keratophakia) for Refractive and Therapeutic Purposes

Keratophakia surgery is performed as therapy for high hyperopia, aphakia, or keratoconus, which implants a fresh or preserved lenticule from small incision lenticule extractionSmall incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) into patients’ corneal surface or stroma. Historically, the lenticule was carved as an 0.2-mm-thick and 6-mm-diameter lens. This lens was placed on the patients’ cornea which underwent lamellar keratectomy and then sutured with the anterior lamellar cap.