title: Corneal sensitivity after small-incision lenticule extraction and laser in situ keratomileusis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To longitudinally evaluate corneal sensitivity after small-incision lenticule extraction and compare the results with those in previous studies.
  
  
  METHODS
  London Vision Clinic, London, United Kingdom.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  Consecutive myopic eyes treated with small-incision lenticule extraction using the Visumax femtosecond laser were studied. Corneal sensitivity was measured centrally and at 4 paracentral locations using a Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer preoperatively and 1 day, 1 week, and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Results were compared with averaged results from previous laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and small-incision lenticule extraction studies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean spherical equivalent was -6.85 diopters (D) ± 2.57 (SD). The mean age was 36 ± 11 years. After small-incision lenticule extraction, the preoperative mean central corneal sensitivity dropped from 54 mm preoperatively to 33 mm 1 day postoperatively, rising to 40 mm, 45 mm, 48 mm, 54 mm, and 55 mm over 12 months; it reached baseline at 6 months (P > .05). For 21 LASIK studies, the mean central corneal sensitivity dropped from 56 mm preoperatively to 6 mm at 1 day, rising to 14 mm, 23 mm, 34 mm, 45 mm, and 51 mm over 12 months. For 8 small-incision lenticule extraction studies, central corneal sensitivity dropped from 57 mm preoperatively to 39 mm at 1 week, then rose to 39 mm, 42 mm, 49 mm, 52 mm, and 54 mm over 12 months; it was higher than after LASIK at 1 week and 1, 3, and 6 months (P < .05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Recovery of central corneal sensitivity to baseline was reached by 6 months after small-incision lenticule extraction and was higher than after LASIK for the first 6 months after surgery.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Dr. Reinstein is a consultant to Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, has a proprietary interest in the Artemis technology (Arcscan, Inc.), and is an author of patents related to very high-frequency digital ultrasound administered by the Center for Technology Licensing at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA. No other author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.
authors.affiliation: From the London Vision Clinic (Reinstein, Archer, Gobbe), London, United Kingdom; the Department of Ophthalmology (Reinstein), Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA; Centre Hospitalier National d'Ophtalmologie (Reinstein), Paris, France; Laser SRL Refractive Laser Center (Bartoli), Torino, Italy. Electronic address: dzr@londonvisionclinic.com.
authors.forename: Dan Z
authors.initials: DZ
authors.lastname: Reinstein
authors.affiliation: From the London Vision Clinic (Reinstein, Archer, Gobbe), London, United Kingdom; the Department of Ophthalmology (Reinstein), Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA; Centre Hospitalier National d'Ophtalmologie (Reinstein), Paris, France; Laser SRL Refractive Laser Center (Bartoli), Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Timothy J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Archer
authors.affiliation: From the London Vision Clinic (Reinstein, Archer, Gobbe), London, United Kingdom; the Department of Ophthalmology (Reinstein), Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA; Centre Hospitalier National d'Ophtalmologie (Reinstein), Paris, France; Laser SRL Refractive Laser Center (Bartoli), Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Marine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gobbe
authors.affiliation: From the London Vision Clinic (Reinstein, Archer, Gobbe), London, United Kingdom; the Department of Ophthalmology (Reinstein), Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA; Centre Hospitalier National d'Ophtalmologie (Reinstein), Paris, France; Laser SRL Refractive Laser Center (Bartoli), Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bartoli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003315:Cornea / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006987:Hypesthesia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ; D054018:Lasers, Excimer / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D009216:Myopia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult