[Changes in corneal sensitivity after excimer laser corneal refractive surgeries].
OBJECTIVE
To observe and compare the changes in corneal sensitivity after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and laser in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for myopia.


METHODS
PRK was performed on 387 eyes of 231 patients and LASIK was performed on 796 eyes of 482 patients with myopia. Corneal sensitivity was examined preoperatively and 1 week, 1, 3 and 6 months postoperatively.


RESULTS
Corneal sensitivity was reduced at the early postoperative stage of both PRK and LASIK. The eyes after PRK showed greater reduction. Corneal sensitivity returned to the baseline levels at 6 months after PRK and 1 month after LASIK.


CONCLUSIONS
The recovery of corneal sensitivity after PRK is slower than that following LASIK.
Yang
B
B
Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510060.
Chen
J
J
Wang
Z
Z
D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000378:metabolism; D003315:Cornea / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D009216:Myopia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy
D000110:Acetylcholinesterase