The Comparison of Corneal Sensitivity after Temporal and Superior Clear Corneal Incisions in Cataract Surgery

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To compare the change in corneal sensitivity after temporal and superior clear corneal incisions in cataract surgery. METHODS: We measured and compared the change in corneal sensitivity in senile cataract patients who had received phacoemulsification using temporal clear corneal incision (group 1) and superior clear corneal incision (group 2). The changes were measured at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after surgery using Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer. RESULTS: There were 25 eyes (20 patients) in group 1 and 25 eyes (23 patients) in group 2. The mean age for each group was 67.2 +/- 8.6 years and 63.0 +/- 6.6 years, respectively. At 1 week after surgery, the sensitivity at the corneal center had a tendency to be decreased in both groups (Group 1: P=0.057, Group 2: P=0.043). No significant changes were observed during the subsequent follow-up period. There were significant decreases in the sensitivity at the incision site in both groups. At 3 months after surgery, the corneal sensitivity was nearly recovered to preoperative values. The postoperative change in corneal sensitivity showed similar patterns in both groups, and group 1 showed a larger decrease. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative change in corneal sensitivity occurs mainly around the incision site and is recovered to preoperative values within 3 months after surgery.