Corneal Mechanical Sensitivity By Non-Contact Brill Engines Esthesiometer In A Healthy Mexican Population

Abstract

Purpose : To evaluate the corneal mechanical sensitivity, the efficacy and safety of the non-contact esthesiometer BRILL, which delivers air pulses to the corneal surface to assess corneal sensitivity in healthy eyes from a Mexican population.

Methods : Retrospective analysis of 418 eyes from healthy 209 patients who were screened for refractive surgery and fulfilled the safety criteria. Examined corneal sensation was performed with the Brill Engines esthesiometer (BEE), a non-contact esthesiometer that use air-jet stimulation The testing was conducted according to the manufacturer's instructions. Corneal mechanical sensitivity was assessed by applying increasing stimuli and recording three measurements for each level of intensity. The average pressure measured were computed.

Results : The average age of the patients was 28.37 ± 8.65 years, ranging from 15 to 60. Out of the 209 patients, 131 were men (62.7%) and 78 were women (37.3%). Every patient got a thorough examination using a slit lamp and fluorescein to evaluate the surface of the eye. No negative effects were observed, and all patients tolerated the treatment well. The average pressure measurements for corneal sensitivity obtained using the BEE were 3,301 ± 0.605 (with a range of 2.5 to 7) in the right eye and 3,441 ± 0.0633 (with a range of 2.5 to 6.5) in the left eye.The reference values were established via the Hoffman methodology. This method estimates the cumulative frequency for each parameter using a parametric approach. Subsequently, the most accurate equation is employed to forecast the upper (1.96) and lower (-1.96) boundaries for the reference. . The Mann-Whitney U test indicates that there are no statistically significant differences between sex and RE/LE,t he Kruskal-Wallis test indicates that there are no significant differences between age range and RE/LE (P > 0.05).

Conclusions : This study has presented a reference for the typical range of Corneal Mechanical Sensitivity in the Mexican population. Data can be cautiously compared to the stated reference values. Aside from the standard set of values, we additionally included interocular differences. Both eyes exhibited nearly symmetrical Corneal Mechanical Sensitivity features. Our results demonstrated that the potential of the BEE as a portable, non-invasive, and accessible alternative, particularly valuable in research for potential sensitivity underlying diseases.

This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.