Corneal sensitivity after penetrating keratoplasty

In order to determine corneal sensitivity after penetrating keratoplasty, 71 corneal transplants and their recipient beds were tested using the Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer. The periods from surgery to examination were two weeks to 15 years. When the test results were divided into six groups according to the postoperative period, correlation analysis revealed a progressive improvement of sensitivity in the central and peripheral graft as well as in the recipient cornea. Only one graft had normal central sensitivity at 24 months; 36 grafts were completely anesthetic while 35 grafts had some level of sensitivity at the time of last clinical testing. Age, preoperative diagnosis or graft size were not correlated with the recovery of sensitivity. The extent and time of reinnervation in corneal grafts varied in individual patients.