Purpose: To report the first presumed case of transient light-sensitivity syndrome (TLSS) after small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE).
Methods: A 27-year-old male patient was treated for severe photophobic symptoms occurring 7 weeks after undergoing a bilateral SMILE procedure. His comprehensive ocular examination was unremarkable and his visual acuity was unaffected. Treatment was a month-long tapering dose of topical steroids.
Results: Photophobic symptoms fully resolved after steroid treatment. TLSS related to SMILE mirrors TLSS after laser in situ keratomileusis in both onset and steroid responsiveness.
Conclusions: TLSS is a rare and minor complication of SMILE. Photophobic symptoms associated with post-SMILE TLSS are fully responsive to topical corticosteroids.