title: Decrease in tear secretion and corneal sensitivity after laser in situ keratomileusis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate tear secretion and corneal sensitivity after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for the correction of myopia.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective study, 48 consecutive eyes (24 patients) underwent LASIK to correct myopia ranging from -3.5 to -12.25 diopters. Tear secretion tested by the tear function index and corneal sensitivity tested using the Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer were evaluated preoperatively and 1 week and 1, 3, 6, and 9 months postoperatively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Tear secretion and corneal sensitivity after LASIK were reduced during the first 3 months after surgery (p<0.001). Tear secretion returned to its preoperative values only after 9 months. Tear secretion and corneal sensitivity were more depressed in long-term contact lens wearers preoperatively and 6 months after surgery (p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the correction of myopia, tear secretion was depressed after LASIK during the first 6 months after surgery.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Investigaciones Oftalmologicas Ramon Castroviejo, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Benitez-del-Castillo
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: del Rio
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Iradier
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Hernández
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Castillo
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Garcia-Sanchez
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001767:Blinking; D003315:Cornea / Q000294:innervation / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009216:Myopia / Q000601:surgery; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012684:Sensory Thresholds; D013666:Tears / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions