Comparison of corneal sensation following photorefractive keratectomy and laser in situ keratomileusis.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) on corneal sensation.


METHODS
Eye Institute, Medical School of the University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece, and Orasis, Hellenic Eye Center of Athens, Greece.


METHODS
In a masked study, corneal sensation was measured with the Cochet-Bonnet aesthesiometer in 40 consecutive patients 6 to 12 months following PRK and LASIK (60 mm constitutes normal reading and < 40 mm, abnormal).


RESULTS
After 6 to 12 months, the mean corneal sensation following PRK was 39.2 mm (range 30 to 55 mm) (mean 9.5 months) and after LASIK, 53.6 mm (range 40 to 60 mm) (mean 9.3 months). The mean correction attempted for PRK was 7.05 diopters (D) (range 2.5 to 12.0 D) and for LASIK, 11.71 D (range 6.0 to 20.0 D).


CONCLUSIONS
In this group of patients, with correction of primarily severe myopia, corneal sensation was significantly greater after LASIK than after PRK.
Kanellopoulos
A J
AJ
SUNY Health Science Center at Brooklyn 11203, USA.
Pallikaris
I G
IG
Donnenfeld
E D
ED
Detorakis
S
S
Koufala
K
K
Perry
H D
HD
D000328:Adult; D003315:Cornea / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016039:Corneal Transplantation; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D008875:Middle Aged; D009216:Myopia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D017288:Pain Threshold; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy; D012677:Sensation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity