Morphometric Analysis of Corneal Nerves Condition after Laser Keratorefractive Surgery

Abstract

Purpose: to conduct a morphometric assessment of the corneal nerves state after laser keratorefractive surgery using laser confocal microscopy and the software Liner 1.2S. Patients and methods. 40 eyes of 20 patients received LASIK to correct a mean refractive error of –4.5 ± 1.9 diopters (range, –2.25 to –8.25 diopters). The stroma was ablated with a Teneo Technolas 317P excimer laser. Corneas were examined by laser corneal confocal microscopy (HRT III with Rostock Cornea Module) before and in 1, 3, and 6 months after LASIK. Images were analyzed with software that automatically computes coefficients of anisotropy and orientation symmetry of corneal nerves. Result. At 1 and 3 months after surgery, the center corneal nerves were completely absent. At 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery, the paracentral corneal nerves were detected and the coefficient of anisotropy were statistically significantly reduced compared with the preoperative rates. At 6 months after surgery, both central and peripheral corneal nerves were detected and the coefficient of anisotropy were statistically significantly reduced compared with the preoperative rates. Conclusion. As a result of the study, the central corneal nerves were first detected at 6 months after surgery, whereas the paracentral cornea nerves were detected already after 1 month. At 6 months after surgery, the coefficient of anisotropy in the central of cornea statistically significant decreased compared to the preoperative rates. At all stages of the study after surgery, the anisotropy coefficient in the cornea paracentral statistically significant decreased compared with preoperative.