Prospective Evaluation Of Corneal Sensitivity In Patients Who Have Undergone Corneal Surgery (Pk, Dmek, Dalk, Cxl) Measured By Brill Esthesiometer After 24 Months Postop.

To assess the degree of corneal sensitivity measured by Brill esthesiometer at baseline and after corneal surgery. Patients who have undergone corneal surgery may experience a loss of corneal sensitivity, but it is suggested that they can regain corneal sensitivity until its baseline level at 24-month follow-up.

Instituto de Microcirugía Ocular (IMO Barcelona) Grupo Miranza C/ Josep Maria Lladó, 3, 08035 Barcelona (Spain).

The study population were adult patients requiring corneal surgery and who agreed to participate in the study and voluntarily signed the Informed Consent Form approved by the local Ethics Committee for Investigation with medicinal products (CEIm) 

Patients were divided into four groups of 10 patients: 1- Penetrating Keratoplasty, 2- Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty, 3- Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty and 4- Cross Linking, obtaining a total number of 40 patients. 

For all study groups, baseline preoperative measurement of corneal sensitivity was obtained, followed every 6 months for up to 24 months. Patients with other ocular surface pathologies such as Sjögren syndrome, severe dry eye or glaucoma, were excluded from the study

At 6 month follow up, Brill esthesiometry measurements showed high repeatability. 

Measuring corneal sensitivity with Brill esthesiometry device allows for a more precise follow-up of patients who have undergone corneal surgery. It can help physicians to make early therapeutic decisions and to avoid irreversible long-term corneal damage. In addition, new  treatment guidelines for patients who may need to undergo such procedures can be established. Data on postoperative corneal sensitivity would be essential for managing these patients in daily clinical practice and could facilitate the implementation of therapeutic measures in the future.