Related Experiment Videos
Corneal sensitivity 10 years after epikeratoplasty
Stephan L Kaminski1, Robert Biowski, Julius R Lukas
1Department of Ophthalmology, University of Vienna, Wien, Austria. s.kaminski@akh-wien.ac.at
Journal of Refractive Surgery (Thorofare, N.J. : 1995)
|December 6, 2002
Summary
Corneal sensitivity remains reduced in the epikeratoplasty lenticule 10 years post-surgery. This hypesthesia did not lead to clinically significant changes in patients following epikeratoplasty for various refractive errors.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Corneal Surgery
- Sensory Physiology
Background:
- Epikeratoplasty is a refractive surgical procedure.
- Assessing long-term corneal sensitivity after epikeratoplasty is crucial for understanding functional outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate corneal sensitivity in patients at least 10 years after undergoing epikeratoplasty.
- To compare sensitivity between the epikeratoplasty lenticule and the recipient cornea.
Main Methods:
- Corneal sensitivity thresholds were measured using an electromagnetic aesthesiometer (Draeger).
- Measurements were taken at multiple locations on the lenticule and host cornea in 45 eyes from 33 patients.
- Data were analyzed based on surgical indication, technique, patient demographics, and measurement location.
Main Results:
- A significantly lower corneal sensitivity threshold was found in the center of the epikeratoplasty lenticule compared to the peripheral recipient cornea.
- Corneal sensitivity varied across different clock positions on the lenticule.
- No significant correlations were found between sensitivity values and patient age, gender, or the type/indication for surgery.
Conclusions:
- The epikeratoplasty lenticule exhibits relative hypesthesia (reduced sensitivity) compared to the peripheral host cornea, persisting for over a decade.
- Despite reduced sensitivity, no clinically significant adverse changes were observed during the follow-up period.