Effect of hinge location on corneal sensation and dry eye after laser in situ keratomileusis for myopia.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of a superior or nasal hinge location on corneal sensation and dry eye after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).


METHODS
Magill Research Center for Vision Correction, Storm Eye Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.


METHODS
This prospective randomized masked study included 47 patients having bilateral myopic LASIK surgery. The first eye was randomly assigned to have a nasal or superior hinge flap; the fellow eye had the alternate location. Visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, corneal sensation, basic secretion test, tear film breakup time, conjunctival and corneal staining, and a subjective questionnaire were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively at 1 week and 1, 3, and 6 months. The Wilcoxon signed rank test and paired t test were used for comparison.


RESULTS
Dry eye occurred with the same frequency in both groups. However, eyes with the nasal hinge had significantly better nasal sensation than those with the superior hinge (P<.05) at 1 month.


CONCLUSIONS
Better nasal corneal sensation was found at 1 month in the nasal hinge group but there was no difference in any other parameters measured.
Vroman
David T
DT
Magill Research Center for Vision Correction, Storm Eye Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA. vromandt@musc.edu
Sandoval
Helga P
HP
Fernández de Castro
Luis E
LE
Kasper
Terrance J
TJ
Holzer
Mike P
MP
Solomon
Kerry D
KD
D000328:Adult; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000473:pathology; D015350:Contrast Sensitivity; D003315:Cornea / Q000294:innervation / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009216:Myopia / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D012677:Sensation; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000294:innervation*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013666:Tears / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors