[Measuring corneal sensitivity with the air aesthesiometer in comparison with the Draeger electromagnetic air...

A new air aesthesiometer developed by S. Weinstein was tested with an anemometer device. It could be shown that the air stream is not linear. The normal sensitivity threshold pattern was measured in 271 probands varying in age from 10 to 98 years. In a comparative study we measured the corneal sensitivity of 20 patients after penetrating keratoplasty with the air aesthesiometer and the Draeger electromechanical aesthesiometer. Because of the aerodynamic broadening of the airstream it was not possible to measure corneal sensitivity at the transplant periphery or host cornea with the new device, while we could demonstrate corneal nerve fibre degeneration at the host cornea or regeneration of the transplant with the electromechanical aesthesiometer.