Corneal epitheliopathy of XXXX induces hyperesthesia to mechanical air jet stimulation.

@entity1 @entity1183 @entity1036 @entity13349 @entity515 @entity56 @entity936
PURPOSE: To evaluate corneal sensation in different groups: normal subjects, @entity936 @entity1 , and @entity1 with and without @entity936 after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) using the modified Belmonte gas esthesiometer. DESIGN: A retrospective, clinic-based, case-control study. METHODS: We evaluated 20 normal subjects, 20 @entity936 @entity1 , 20 post-LASIK @entity1 without @entity936 , and six post-LASIK @entity1 with @entity936 . The corneal sensation was measured with the modified Belmonte gas esthesiometer that uses two different stimuli to assess mechanical and polymodal receptors on the corneal surface. Mechanoreceptors were assessed by 2-second pulsed air jets of variable intensity. Polymodal receptors were measured by stimulating the corneal with 2-second pulsed air jets of varying concentrations of @entity515 , a gas that is converted to @entity13349 on contact with the corneal surface. The main outcome measure was determining corneal sensation. RESULTS: The mean +/- standard deviation (+/- SD) age was similar in all groups. The mean mechanical threshold was 61.50 +/- 20.07 ml/min in the normal group (n = 20), 34.60 +/- 21.09 ml/min in the dry group (n = 20, P <.05 vs normal), 99.50 +/- 47.40 ml/min in the post-LASIK group (n = 20, P <.01 vs normal), and 50.00 +/- 15.49 ml/min in the post-LASIK @entity1 with @entity1036 sicca (n = 06, P <.05 vs post-LASIK). The percentage of @entity515 to elicit discomfort was similar in all groups (P >.05). No sex-related differences were noted (P >.05). There was a significant inverse correlation between the threshold of mechanical stimulation and the severity of corneal fluorescein staining. CONCLUSIONS: The Belmonte modified noncontact esthesiometer is a sophisticated instrument that can assess different types of corneal sensory receptors. @entity1 with @entity936 were hypersensitive to the air jet stimulus of this instrument, and this appears to be due to altered corneal epithelial barrier function. Profound @entity1183 was observed after LASIK and similar to @entity936 , post-LASIK @entity1 with @entity936 were sensitized. These findings provide new insight into the @entity56 to environmental stresses, particularly air drafts experienced by @entity936 @entity1 .
