Comparison Study of Corneal Sensation and Self-Reported Dry-Eye Symptoms After Myopic LASIK With Inverted Bevel-in Side Cut Versus Standard Bevel-out Side Cut
Narrative Responses:
Purpose
To prospectively compare changes in corneal sensation and self-reported dry eye symptoms following myopic LASIK with a femtosecond laser using an inverted bevel-in side cut versus a conventional bevel-out side cut.
Methods
One hundred and twenty-two eyes of 61 patients underwent myopic LASIK using a femtosecond laser. One eye had a 130-degree bevel-in inverted side cut and the fellow eye had a 70-degree bevel-out side cut. Cochet-Bonnet aesthisiometry (CB) measured corneal sensation preoperatively and at post-op months 1, 3, 6 and 12. A validated Rasch-tested, linear-scaled dry eye questionnaire was administered preoperatively and an post-op months 1, 3, 6 and 12.
Results
Recovery of corneal sensation was faster in the inverted side cut group compared to the conventional side cut group at months 3 and 6. Cochet-Bonnet values were 1.4 versus 1.2, (p = 0.08) at 1-month; 2.6 versus (1.9, p < 0.01) at 3-months; 5.3 vs. 4.5, (p < 0.01) at 6-months; and 5.8 versus 5.6 (p = 0.11) at 12 months in the inverted and conventional side cut groups respectively. There were no differences in self-reported dry eye symptoms between the two groups at any time interval.
Conclusion
Eyes treated with an inverted bevel-in side cut had a faster recovery of corneal sensation compared to a conventional bevel-out side cut. However, there were no differences in self-reported dry eye symptoms between the two techniques.