Recovery of corneal sensation after myopic correction by laser in situ keratomileusis with a nasal or superior hinge

Abstract

The authors measured corneal sensation with a Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer in 75 patients before and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after photorefractive keratectomy (21 patients) and laser in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) with nasal (21 patients) and superior (33 patients) hinges. There was no statistically significant change in corneal sensation following photo refractive keratectomy. Following LASIK, corneal sensation was significantly decreased at 1 and 3 months (P < .05) but not at 6 and 12 months when compared with preoperative values. Corneal sensitivity was in the normal range in 31.5% of LASIK patients at 3 months, in 57.4% at 6 months, and in 82.1% at 12 months. A significantly greater decrease in corneal sensation occurred with a nasal hinge than a superior hinge (P < .01). The authors conclude that recovery of corneal sensation had begun 3 months after LASIK and was complete by 12 months. The reason for greater reduction of corneal sensation with a superior hinge than a nasal hinge is unclear and requires further investigation.—Michael D. Wagoner