Corneal sensitivity 10 years after epikeratoplasty.
OBJECTIVE
To assess corneal sensitivity in patients 10 or more years after epikeratoplasty for myopia, aphakia, hyperopia, and keratoconus.


METHODS
A total of 45 eyes of 33 patients (age range at examination 33 to 55 yr) were included in the study. Corneal sensitivity thresholds using an electromagnetic aesthesiometer (Draeger) were measured at various locations on the lenticule and the recipient cornea. Measurements were evaluated regarding the corrective purpose, surgical technique, age, and gender of the patients and the area of measurements.


RESULTS
The mean corneal sensitivity threshold in the center of the epikeratoplasty lenticule was significantly lower than on the peripheral recipient cornea (320.0 +/- 365.1 x 10(-5) N versus 0.1 +/- 0.5 x 10(-5) N). Corneal sensitivity at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions was significantly higher compared to the values at the 6 and 12 o'clock positions on the lenticule. No correlations of these values with age, gender, type, and primary indications for the surgery were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate a relative hypesthesia of the epikeratoplasty lenticule as compared to the peripheral host cornea, even 10 years after surgery. In our patients no clinically significant changes were observed that could be attributed to the reduced sensitivity over this follow-up period.
Kaminski
Stephan L
SL
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Vienna, Wien, Austria. s.kaminski@akh-wien.ac.at
Biowski
Robert
R
Lukas
Julius R
JR
Koyuncu
Didem
D
Grabner
Günther
G
D000328:Adult; D003315:Cornea / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017391:Epikeratophakia / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012677:Sensation; D013997:Time Factors