Corneal sensation after correction of myopia by photorefractive keratectomy and laser in situ keratomileusis

PURPOSE: To compare the effects of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) on corneal sensation. SETTING: Ohshima Hospital of Ophthalmology, Fukuoka, Japan. METHODS: Corneal sensation was measured with a Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer in 35 patients before and 3 days, 1 week, and 1 and 3 months after correction of myopia by PRK (22 patients) or LASIK (13 patients). RESULTS: After PRK, corneal sensitivity was decreased slightly at 3 days, began to recover at 1 week, and returned to preoperative values at 3 months; none of the changes was statistically significant (P >.05). After LASIK, corneal sensation was significantly decreased at 3 days, 1 week, and 1 month; it recovered slightly at 3 months, although it remained significantly less than preoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Laser in situ keratomileusis was associated with a negative effect on corneal sensation, which was markedly greater than the effect with PRK and was evident for at least 3 months after surgery.