How long does the recovery of corneal sensitivity in different corneal regions take after LASEK?

AIM:To determine the corneal sensitivity recovery period after laser-assisted sub-epithelial keratectomy(LASEK)refractive surgery and investigate the effects of ablation depth on it.METHODS:In this study examinations were performed on 90 right eyes of 90 people(34 males and 56 females)with an age range of 20-35 and an average of 22.26±3.8 years old.A sensation of 5 corneal regions,including the center and 4 mid-peripheral regions,i.e.,nasal,inferior,temporal,and superior,each at a distance of 2 mm from the center of the cornea were measured with a Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer device in 3-time points including before LASEK,1 and 3mo after the surgery,respectively.LASEK was performed on individuals with stabilized myopia of -1.00 to -7.00 diopters and astigmatism of less than 2.00 diopters.Furthermore,the individuals were divided into three groups regarding ablation depth.RESULTS:The highest level of corneal sensitivity before surgery was related to the center of the cornea(59.1±7.76),and the highest level of corneal sensitivity loss was also related to this region.The sensation of all measured corneal regions significantly reduced 1mo postoperatively and returned to their preoperative levels 3mo after surgery(mean of 5 corneal regions in levels of preoperation:58.2±6.48,1mo postoperation:57.3±5.84,3mo postoperation:58.2±5.49;P<0.05).A significant relationship was found between ablation depth and corneal sensitivity changes in the center and temporal regions(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Corneal sensitivity in myopia and low astigmatism decreases after LASEK and reaches the preoperative level within 3mo.The depth of ablation during surgery affected the recovery of corneal sensitivity.

Implantable collamer lens for residual refractive error after corneal refractive surgery

AIM：To assess the safety,efficacy,predictability and stability of implantable collamer lens（ICL） for residual refractive error after corneal refractive surgery.METHODS： This study evaluated 19 eyes of 12 patients who underwent ICL implantation after corneal refractive surgeries.They were followed up for 1y to 5y of uncorrected distance visual acuity（UDVA）,corrected distance visual acuity（CDVA）,manifest refractive error,flat and steep K value,axial length,intraocular pressure,corneal endothelial cell density,adverse events after ICL surgery.RESULTS： The mean follow-up period was 39.05 ±19.22 mo（range,1-5y）.Spherical equivalent refractive error changed from-7.45±3.02 D preoperatively to-0.85±1.10 D 1wk to 1mo after ICL implantation,with the safety and efficacy indices being 1.12 and 1.15,respectively.A total of 52.63% of eyes were within ±0.5 D of the predicted spherical equivalents,73.68% were within ±1.0 D.A trend of mild regression towards myopia with axial elongation after 5y was observed.One eye with mild anterior capsule opacity and retinal detachment 1y after surgery were observed.CONCLUSION： ICL implantation is safe and effective for the correction of residual refractive error after corneal refractive surgeries,especially in moderate to high residual myopia.

Comparation of effectiveness of silicone hydrogel contact lens and hydrogel contact lens in patients after LASEK

AIMTo conduct a comparative study of effectiveness of silicone hydrogel contact lens and hydrogel contact lens, which are used in patients after laser-assisted subepithelial keratomileusis (LASEK).METHODSSixty-three patients (121 eyes) with a spherical equivalent ≤-5.0 D were chosen after undergoing LASEK in 2012 at Guangdong General Hospital. They were randomly divided into 2 groups. The silicone hydrogel group included 32 cases (61 eyes) that wore silicone hydrogel contact lenses for 4-6d after the operation, while the hydrogel group included 31 cases (60 eyes) who wore hydrogel contact lenses for 4-6d after the operation. Patients' self-reported postoperative symptoms (including pain, photophobia, tears, and foreign body sensation) were evaluated. The healing time of the corneal epithelium, the visual acuity of patients without contact lens after epithelial healing, and the incidence of delayed corneal epithelial shedding were also assessed. The follow-up time was 1mo.RESULTSPostoperative symptoms were milder in the silicone hydrogel group than in the hydrogel group. There were significant differences in pain, foreign body sensation, and photophobia between the 2 groups (P<0.05), although there was no significant difference in postoperative tearing (P>0.05). The healing time of the corneal epithelium in the silicone hydrogel lens group was markedly shorter than that in the hydrogel group (4.07±0.25 vs 4.33±0.82d, t=2.43, P=0.02). Visual acuity without contact lenses after healing of the corneal epithelium was better in the silicone hydrogel group compared with the hydrogel group (χ2=7.76, P=0.02). There was no significant difference in the occurrence of delayed corneal epithelial shedding between the 2 groups (P>0.05).CONCLUSIONPatients with LASEK using silicon hydrogel contact lenses had less discomfort and shorter corneal epithelial healing time compared with those using hydrogel contact lenses, suggesting that silicon hydrogel contact lenses may be considered to be a better choice of bandage contact lens after LASEK.