The use of lenticular tissue in corneal refractive surgery

Purpose. To identify the problems of using lenticular tissue, its storage, obtaining cell-free scaffolds in corneal tissue engineering, and the possibility of predicting refraction.The unique advantage of Relex Smile technology is that it is a potentially reversible procedure that allows preserve the extracted lenticules and opens up broad possibilities for the use of lenticules in ophthalmic practice in the future.Research in this area demonstrated the potential for implanted autologous and allogeneic lenticules after creating an intracorneal pocket for treating diseases such as presbyopia, corneal perforation, corneal keratectasia, progressive pterygium, progressive keratoconus.In addition, this article presents the results of recent studies describing protocols for cryopreservation and decellularization of lenticules as the most promising methods in tissue engineering in conditions a shortage of donor’s cornea