title: Corneal sensitivity after photorefractive keratectomy and laser in situ keratomileusis for low myopia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate and compare the recovery of postoperative corneal sensitivity after laser in situ keratomileusis and photorefractive keratectomy for the correction of low myopia.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective study, 17 consecutive eyes (17 patients) underwent laser in situ keratomileusis to correct myopia ranging from -3.25 to -6.75 diopters, and another 18 consecutive eyes (18 patients) underwent photorefractive keratectomy to correct myopia from -3.12 to -7.00 diopters. Corneal sensitivity was tested preoperatively and 1 week and 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively using the Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer. Corneal sensitivity was tested at the center of the cornea, and in four additional central points 2 mm from the corneal center (nasal, inferior, temporal, and superior).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Corneal sensitivity after laser in situ keratomileusis was reduced at the ablated zone during the first 3 months after surgery (Wilcoxon rank sum test, P < .05), and only after 6 months it returned to its preoperative values. However, corneal sensitivity recovered its preoperative values 1 month after photorefractive keratectomy (Wilcoxon rank sum test, P > .05), except for the central corneal point, where 3 months were required. Comparing both groups, corneal sensitivity was more depressed after laser in situ keratomileusis than after photorefractive keratectomy during the first 3 months (Mann-Whitney test, P < .05), except for the nasal central point, although no differences were found between both groups at 6 months (P > .05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the correction of low myopia, corneal sensitivity at the ablated zone was more depressed after laser in situ keratomileusis than after photorefractive keratectomy during the first 3 months after surgery. Only after 6 months were corneal sensitivity values similar in both groups.
authors.affiliation: Refractive Surgery and Cornea Unit, Alicante Institute of Ophthalmology, University of Alicante School of Medicine, Spain.
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Pérez-Santonja
authors.forename: H F
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Sakla
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cardona
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chipont
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Alió
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003315:Cornea / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000601:surgery; D003941:Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D008297:Male; D009216:Myopia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D009882:Ophthalmic Nerve / Q000502:physiology; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012677:Sensation / Q000502:physiology*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013997:Time Factors