title: The effect of nerve growth factor on corneal sensitivity after laser in situ keratomileusis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine if topically administered nerve growth factor (NGF) plays a role in accelerating the recovery of corneal sensitivity after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective double-masked study comparing the effect of topical NGF with balanced salt solution on corneal sensitivity after LASIK in rabbits. Preoperative and postoperative corneal sensitivities were assessed using an esthesiometer (Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eyes that were treated with topical NGF demonstrated an earlier and faster recovery of corneal sensitivity after LASIK (P =.007). A statistically significant difference in corneal sensitivity was found between the topical NGF and control group postoperatively at 2 (P =.01), 3 (P =.03), and 4 (P =.03) weeks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Topically administered NGF may play a significant role in accelerating corneal reinnervation after LASIK. Clinical Relevance Our results showed that topical NGF had beneficial effects in the early recovery of corneal sensitivity after LASIK. Nerve growth factor can be a new therapeutic approach for dry eye syndrome after LASIK.
authors.affiliation: Wilmer Eye Institute, The Johns Hopkins Hospital,Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Myung-Jin
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Joo
authors.forename: Kevin R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Yuhan
authors.forename: Joon Young
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Hyon
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: Stacey
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hose
authors.forename: Debasish
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sinha
authors.forename: Terrence P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: O'Brien
mesh_terms: D000085:Acetates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D003315:Cornea / Q000187:drug effects / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ; D008903:Minerals / Q000008:administration & dosage; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009882:Ophthalmic Nerve / Q000502:physiology; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011817:Rabbits; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012677:Sensation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000085:Acetates; C030660:BSS solution; D004338:Drug Combinations; D008903:Minerals; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor