Evaluation of corneal sensation after LASIK correction for myopic patients

Abstract

The cornea is the most richly innervated surface tissue in the human body.Corneal sensation is essential to maintain the integrity of the ocular surface.Corneal sensitivity decreases after LASIK because of surgical amputation and laser ablation of the nerve fibers innervating the central surface of the cornea.

In this study we evaluate the corneal sensitivity after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for the correction of myopia by nasal and superior flap and comparison with normal individuals.

Our findings support the impression that all myopic subjects who did LASIK have decreased corneal sensation compared with normal myopic individuals.

We had 3 groups : normal myopic individuals, nasal flap group and superior flap group. All individuals were subjected toVisual acuity assessment using Snellen visual acuity chart, Anterior segment evaluation using slit lamp biomicroscopy, Fluorescein filter paper to asses corneal surface and Schirmer test to evaluate tear film. Nasal and superior groups’ individuals subjected post-operatively to Corneal sensation assessment with Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer at intervals of : 1stday postoperative, 2 weeks and 1 month.

• There was no statistically significant difference between the control and the study groups as regards mean age and sex. • As Regarding Nasal Flap group:  There was a highly statistically significant reduction of corneal sensation in all quadrants between the preoperative and 1st day