Biomechanical properties of the corneal stroma extracted during the SMILE surgery in myopia with varying axial length

Corneal fragments obtained during SMILE myopia correction provide a valuable model for biomechanical testing of the corneal stroma under conditions closely resembling <i>in vivo</i> physiology. The Young's modulus values for the anterior and posterior lenticule surfaces were comparable and significantly correlated. The weak correlation between lenticule stiffness and axial length indirectly suggests minimal corneal biomechanical alterations associated with fibrous coat enlargement. The potential relationship between CCT and stromal biomechanics requires further investigation.