Changes in tear flow and tear film stability after photorefractive keratectomy.

PURPOSE: To investigate the changes in tear flow and tear film stability after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) for myopia. MATERIAL AND METHOD: One eye of 32 patients underwent unilateral PRK procedure for the correction of myopia ranging from -1.50 to -6.00 diopters (D) (mean -3.65 +/- 1.55 D). Schirmer test values and break-up time (BUT) scores were measured 6 weeks after the PRK procedure. Unoperated, contralateral eyes were used as control eyes for each patient. The Schirmer test scores and BUT values were statistically analyzed using independent t test. RESULTS: The mean Schirmer test value was 14.45 +/- 7.79 mm in the operated eyes. It was 28.83 +/- 5.89 in the control eyes. The decrease in Schirmer test value was statistically significant (t = 8.28, p = 0.0001). The mean BUT scores were 13.19 +/- 5.09 s in the operated eyes and 27.83 +/- 9.31 s in the control eyes. The decrease was statistically significant (t = 7.86, p = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: PRK causes a decrease in tear flow and tear film stability that is probably caused by decreased corneal sensation after PRK.