Abstract
Purpose::
To evaluate and compare the recovery of postoperative corneal sensitivity after scleral and corneal tunnel phacoemulsification (PEA) and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation.
Methods::
This study comprised 60 eyes of 30 consecutive patients with age related cataract in both eyes scheduled for bilateral small incision cataract surgery. The patients were randomly assigned to receive either scleral or clear corneal incision for the first eye. The second eye was assigned to the other incision group. The surgery was performed using superior 4.1 mm sutureless incision, PEA, and implantation of foldable acrylic IOL. Corneal sensitivity was tested preoperatively and 1 day, 1week, and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively using the Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer. Corneal sensitivity was tested at the center of the cornea, and at four midperipheral points 2mm from the corneal limbus (nasal, inferior, temporal, and superior).
Results::
Corneal sensitivity after corneal tunnel PEA was reduced at the superior point throughout the 12 month follow-up period (Bonferroni multiple comparison, p<0.05). In the scleral tunnel PEA group, corneal sensitivity at the superior point recovered the preoperative level 1 month after surgery (Bonferroni multiple comparison, p>0.05). Corneal sensitivity at the superior point was more depressed after corneal tunnel PEA than after scleral tunnel PEA throughout the 12 month follow-up period (Paired-t, p<0.05), although no differences were found at any other points during the study period (Paired-t, p>0.05).
Conclusions::
Corneal sensitivity at the wound direction was more damaged after corneal tunnel PEA than after scleral tunnel PEA during the 12 months after surgery.
Keywords: small incision cataract surgery • cornea: clinical science • sclera