Corneal innervation, corneal mechanical sensitivity, and tear fluid secretion after transcleral contact 670-nm diode laser cyclophotocoagulation. Raivio VE, Vesaluoma MH, Tervo TMT, Immonen IJR, Puska PM. J Glaucoma 2002;11:446–453

Abstract

The authors evaluated the effect of 670-nm diode laser photocoagulation on corneal morphology, density of corneal subbasal nerves, corneal mechanical sensitivity, and the rate of tear fluid secretion. Ten eyes of 10 patients underwent transscleral contact cyclophotocoagulation on 180 degrees of the pars plicata of the ciliary body using a 670-nm diode laser (power = 430 mW, application time = 10 seconds). In vivo confocal microscopy was performed preoperatively and at 3 days and 1 month postoperatively. Corneal mechanical sensitivity was performed preoperatively and at 3 days and 1 month postoperatively using a Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer. Schirmer tear film testing was performed with topical anesthesia preoperatively and 1 month postoperatively. After cyclophotocoagulation, there were no changes in corneal morphology or reduction in the density of corneal subbasal nerves or any statistically significant changes in corneal mechanical sensitivity or basal tear secretion. This study indicates that cyclophotocoagulation with a 670-nm diode laser does not impair corneal innervation.—Michael D. Wagoner