[Corneal reinnervation after lamellar refractive corneal surgery]

In a retrospective study corneal sensitivity after refractive autokeratoplasty for correction of myopia was measured. Thirty-eight patients operated on for keratomileusis in situ and 18 patients for keratomileusis myopica were examined with the Draeger esthesiometer between 1 and 23 months after surgery. Three measurements points were on the refractive disc, two others on the untouched cornea. After keratomileusis myopica, the corneal reinnervation is significantly delayed compared to keratomileusis in situ. In the first group sensitivity is normal after 2 years and in the second group after 1 year. Even refraction and visual acuity depend on metabolism and reorganization of the tissue after surgery. Besides retarded cell repopulation and disturbed stromal metabolism--caused by toxic and cryopreservation effects--the dissection depth of the refractive ablation is responsible for these phenomena.