Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 11, 2025
06:10
Author Spotlight: Advancing Corneal Innervation Research Through Innovative Models
Published on: December 8, 2023
1.9K
Structural and functional alterations in corneal nerves after single-step transPRK.
Chang Liu1, Aomiao Yu, Chen Zhang
1From the Tianjin Key Laboratory of Retinal Functions and Diseases, Tianjin Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Disease, Eye Institute and School of Optometry, Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital.
Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery
|December 5, 2021
Summary
Corneal subbasal nerve structure significantly decreases after transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy (TransPRK) for up to 12 months. However, corneal sensitivity recovers quickly, showing structural and functional nerve changes are not parallel after TransPRK.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Corneal Surgery
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy (TransPRK) is a refractive surgery procedure.
- Understanding the impact of TransPRK on corneal nerves is crucial for patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between structural and functional changes in corneal subbasal nerves following TransPRK.
- To assess the long-term effects of TransPRK on corneal nerve regeneration and sensitivity.
Main Methods:
- A prospective observational study involving 51 patients undergoing TransPRK for moderate myopia.
- Corneal subbasal nerve regeneration was evaluated using in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) at multiple postoperative time points.
- Corneal sensitivity was measured with a Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer, and blink patterns were recorded using a LipiView interferometer.
Main Results:
- Corneal nerve density and length significantly decreased post-TransPRK and did not recover to preoperative levels by 12 months.
- Corneal sensitivity showed a transient decrease at 1 week but returned to baseline within 1 month.
- No significant changes in blink frequency were observed, and no direct correlation was found between nerve regeneration, sensitivity recovery, and blink changes.
Conclusions:
- TransPRK leads to significant and prolonged structural damage to corneal subbasal nerves.
- Functional recovery of corneal sensitivity is rapid and occurs independently of the slow nerve regeneration.
- Structural and functional recovery of corneal nerves are not parallel after TransPRK.
