title: Changes in corneal sensation, epithelial damage, and tear function after descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the ocular surface changes in eyes after Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) compared with those after penetrating keratoplasty (PKP).
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective study compared the changes in 31 eyes of 28 patients who underwent DSAEK (DSAEK group) with those in 15 disease-matched eyes of 15 patients who underwent PKP (PKP group). Corneal epithelial integrity was evaluated using a fluorescein staining score. Corneal sensation was measured with a Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer. Tear function was evaluated using the Schirmer test, tear clearance test, tear function index, and tear break-up time.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The postoperative fluorescein staining score was significantly higher in the PKP group than in the DSAEK group (P = 0.02). Postoperative corneal sensation was significantly better in the DSAEK group than in the PKP group (P < 0.01). Corneal sensation after DSAEK was significantly better than the preoperative value (P = 0.02). There were no statistically significant changes in the Schirmer test, tear clearance test, tear function index, or break-up time before and after the surgery in both the DSAEK and PKP groups. No significant differences were observed between the DSAEK and PKP groups after the surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Corneal sensation was preserved, and epithelial damage was less severe after DSAEK compared with PKP. Preservation of corneal sensation may contribute to the early recovery of visual function and long-term maintenance of ocular surface health after DSAEK.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Tokyo Dental College Ichikawa General Hospital, Ichikawa, 5-11-13 Sugano Ichikawa, Chiba, Japan. tamayumi@me.com
authors.forename: Yumiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hirayama
authors.forename: Yoshiyuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Satake
authors.forename: Masatoshi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hirayama
authors.forename: Seika
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shimazaki-Den
authors.forename: Kenji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Konomi
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shimazaki
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003315:Cornea / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D057111:Descemet Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D015590:Fluorophotometry; D006801:Humans; D015948:Keratoplasty, Penetrating; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012677:Sensation / Q000502:physiology*; D013666:Tears / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult