Change in corneal sensitivityfollowing laser in situ keratomileusis

PURPOSE: To evaluate the change in corneal sensitivity following laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, Maryknoll Hospital, Pusan, Korea. METHODS: The corneal sensitivity in 40 eyes (32 patients) was measured before and 1 and 2 weeks and 1, 3, and 6 months after LASIK. Sensitivity measurements were made with an esthesiometer at central, temporal, inferior, nasal, and superior points on the corneal flap. The eyes were grouped by ablation depth: Group 1, corneal ablation depth less than 100 microns; Group 2, corneal ablation depth more than 100 microns. RESULTS: Corneal sensitivity did not recover to the preoperative level by 6 months after LASIK. Except at the hinge of the corneal flap, the pattern of sensitivity recovery was similar among the various points. Recovery was more rapid at the hinge than at other areas (P < .05). There was a trend toward a greater reduction in corneal sensitivity in Group 2, the group with deeper ablations, than in Group 1. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that lamellar cutting of the cornea during LASIK impairs corneal sensitivity and that the depth of the corneal ablation affects the extent of corneal sensitivity loss and recovery.