Perioperative low-level light therapy for ocular surface protection in patients undergoing Femto-LASIK: a prospective double-masked, randomized controlled study.

Background: Dry eye disease (DED) is among the most common complications experienced after femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (Femto-LASIK), often affecting visual recovery, as well as patient satisfaction. Low-level light therapy (LLLT) has shown benefits in various ocular surface di...

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Publicado en:Therapeutic Advances in Ophthalmology Vol. 18; pp. 1 - 12
Autores principales: Solarino, Sergio Manuel, Cannas, Claudia, Calabresi, Valerio, Lixi, Filippo, Troisi, Mario, Deiana, Giorgia, Schirru, Roberta, Namazbayeva, Assem, Coco, Giulia, Timofte-Zorila, Mihaela-Madalina, Branisteanu, Daniel Constantin, Giannaccare, Giuseppe
Formato: pictorial research tables/charts randomized controlled trial Journal Article
Publicado: Sage Publications Inc. 5/5/2026
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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      dt: 5/5/2026
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        atl: Perioperative low-level light therapy for ocular surface protection in patients undergoing Femto-LASIK: a prospective double-masked, randomized controlled study.
      aug:
        au:
          Solarino, Sergio Manuel
          Cannas, Claudia
          Calabresi, Valerio
          Lixi, Filippo
          Troisi, Mario
          Deiana, Giorgia
          Schirru, Roberta
          Namazbayeva, Assem
          Coco, Giulia
          Timofte-Zorila, Mihaela-Madalina
          Branisteanu, Daniel Constantin
          Giannaccare, Giuseppe
        affil: Conceptualization, Centro Vista Eye Clinic, Advanced Ocular Diagnostic and Surgery, Cagliari, Italy
      sug:
        subj:
          Refractive Errors Surgery
          Keratomileusis, Laser in Situ Methods
          Keratomileusis, Laser in Situ Adverse Effects
          Postoperative Complications
          Perioperative Care
          Phototherapy
          Dry Eye Syndromes Prevention and Control
          Human
          Male
          Female
          Adult
          Romania
          Multicenter Studies
          Prospective Studies
          Randomized Controlled Trials
          Random Assignment
          Comparative Studies
          Double-Blind Studies
          Questionnaires
          Descriptive Statistics
          Data Analysis Software
          Mann-Whitney U Test
          Fisher's Exact Test
          Two-Way Analysis of Variance
          Repeated Measures
          Eye Surgery
          Adult: 19-44 years
          Male
          Female
      ab: Background: Dry eye disease (DED) is among the most common complications experienced after femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (Femto-LASIK), often affecting visual recovery, as well as patient satisfaction. Low-level light therapy (LLLT) has shown benefits in various ocular surface diseases, but its role in refractive surgery remains underexplored. This study aimed at evaluating the efficacy of perioperative LLLT in preserving tear film parameters and reducing ocular discomfort symptoms after Femto-LASIK. Methods: In this prospective multicentric, randomized, double-masked, sham-controlled clinical study, adult patients undergoing Femto-LASIK were randomized (1:1) to receive periocular LLLT (633 ± 10 nm, 15 min/session) or sham treatment 7 ± 2 days before and after surgery. Ocular surface evaluation was performed at baseline (T0), and 1 week (T1), 1 month (T2), and 3 months (T3) postoperatively. Outcomes were tear meniscus height (TMH), Schirmer test values, and Dry Eye Questionnaire-5 (DEQ-5) scores, noninvasive tear break-up time (NIBUT), and interferometry. Results: Forty eyes of 40 patients (mean age: 34.58 ± 5.67 years) were analyzed. In the LLLT group, tear film parameters and subjective symptoms remained stable throughout follow-up, with no statistically significant changes over time. Conversely, the control group showed a significant decline in TMH (0.27 ± 0.05 mm to 0.20 ± 0.05 mm; p < 0.001), Schirmer test (20.39 ± 10.84 mm/5' to 15.65 ± 9.02 mm/5'; p = 0.022), and a significant worsening in DEQ-5 scores (3.53 ± 4.10 to 5.94 ± 2.79; p = 0.005). Between-group comparisons demonstrated in the LLLT group significantly higher TMH at T2 (p = 0.034) and T3 (p = 0.016), higher Schirmer values at T2 (p = 0.048) and T3 (p = 0.018), and lower DEQ-5 scores at T1 (p = 0.041), T2 (p = 0.029), and T3 (p = 0.018). NIBUT and interferometry showed no significant between-group differences at any time point. No treatment-related adverse events were observed. Conclusion: Perioperative LLLT appears to be a safe and well-tolerated adjunctive treatment that may help preserve tear volume and support postoperative comfort after Femto-LASIK. These findings suggest a potential role for LLLT in perioperative refractive surgery care, although further studies are warranted to confirm its clinical benefit.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        pictorial
        research
        tables/charts
        randomized controlled trial
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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