Comparison of corneal sensation following photorefractive keratectomy and laser in situ keratomileusis

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) on corneal sensation. Setting: Eye Institute, Medical School of the University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece, and Orasis, Hellenic Eye Center of Athens, Greece. Methods: In a masked study, corneal sensation was measured with the Cochet-Bonnet aesthesiometer in 40 consecutive patients 6 to 12 months following PRK and LASIK (60 mm constitutes normal reading and <40 mm, abnormal). Results: After 6 to 12 months, the mean corneal sensation following PRK was 39.2 mm (range 30 to 55 mm) (mean 9.5 months) and after LASIK, 53.6 mm (range 40 to 60 mm) (mean 9.3 months). The mean correction attempted for PRK was 7.05 diopters (D) (range 2.5 to 12.0 D) and for LASIK, 11.71 D (range 6.0 to 20.0 D). Conclusion: in this group of patients, with correction of primarily severe myopia, corneal sensation was significantly greater after LASIK than after PRK.