Figure 5.

Histological section with H&E staining for the central corneas of the (a) SMILE with irrigation, (b) SMILE without irrigation, (c) LASIK with irrigation, and (d) LASIK without irrigation groups at 24 hours. In the SMILE with irrigation group, undulated but undisrupted stromal collagen bundles and apparent fluid pockets along the extracted lenticule plane were observed (arrows). Small fluid retention pockets were also observed at the interface in the post-LASIK eyes but less prominent (arrowheads). Original magnification: 200x. Scale bar: 50 μm.