Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the correlation between preoperative myopic severity, central corneal thickness (CCT), and residual stromal bed (RSB) across wavefront-optimized (WFO) laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), Contoura LASIK, and StreamLight photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and to assess their safety and refractive predictability over 6 months. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 84 eyes from 42 patients aged 18–35 years who underwent one of the three refractive procedures between December 2024 and June 2025 at a tertiary eye center in northern India. Data collected preoperatively and up to 6 months postoperatively included spherical equivalent (SE), CCT, and RSB. Pearson’s correlation assessed relationships among SE, CCT, and RSB. Technique-specific outcomes were evaluated for safety, efficacy, and predictability. Results: Eighty-four eyes (mean age: 26.4 ± 2.1 years; 64.3% female) were analyzed. Mean preoperative SE was −4.61 D, CCT: 529.8 μm, and RSB: 357.1 μm. Moderate myopia predominated (65.4%). WFO LASIK had the highest mean SE (−4.99 D) and RSB (364.4 μm); PRK was used in thinner corneas. SE did not correlate significantly with RSB ( r = −0.12, P = 0.27) but had a mild inverse correlation with CCT ( r = −0.27, P = 0.01). CCT showed a positive correlation with RSB ( r = 0.38, P < 0.001). All techniques demonstrated effective stromal preservation. Conclusions: Both LASIK and PRK are safe and effective for myopic correction. SE did not significantly influence RSB when individualized planning was applied. CCT remained the strongest predictor of surgical safety, supporting personalized technique selection.
Kaushik et al. (2026) studied this question.