Recovery Of Corneal Sensitivity And Corneal Nerves After Sub-Bowman’s Keratomileusis With Different Ways To Creat Corneal Flap

PurposeTo compare changes in central corneal sensitivity and subbasal nerve density after sub-Bowman’s keratomileusis (SBK)with the flap created by a femtosecond laser vs a mechanical microkeratome.MethodsPatients with myopia had sub-Bowman’s keratomileusis were categorized two groups according to the type of flap creation:FEMTO-LDV femtosecond laser group (FEMTO-LDV group) and One Use-Plus microkeratome group (OUP group),there are25cases(n=50eyes) in each group. The uncorrected visual acuity, central corneal sensitivity and subbasal nerve fiber bundles were measured lmonth,3months,6months after operation.ResultsVision acuity:UCVA for both groups was at least equal to1.0. Central corneal sensation:after1month, mean central corneal sensation was greater in FEMTO-LDV group than that in OUP group (t=3.130,p=0.003).At Postoperative3months and6months the mean central corneal sensation between two groups had no significant difference(t=0.237、-0.837,p=0.813、0.409). Compared with preoperative values, a significant reduction in corneal sensation remained at6months in both groups (t=-13.725、-10.092,p=0.000,0.000). Subbasal nerve density:there was no significant difference of the subbasal nerve density at1month,3months,6months after operation between the two groups (t=1.191、0.286、0.224,、0.238、0.776、0.824)Conclusions1. SBK with femtosecond laser or microkeratome both provided good uncorrected visual acuity.2. Better corneal sensation was found at1month after SBK with femtosecond laser.3. Subbasal nerve fiber bundles was in reparing after SBK with femtosecond laser and microkeratome.