Corneal Sensation Epidemiology: Delineating Postoperative Cataract Extraction Outcomes

ORCID

0009-0001-5710-3268 (Drake), 0000-0003-1216-4056 (Sheppard)

Document Type

Abstract

Publication Date

2025

Publication Title

Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science

Volume

66

Issue

8

Pages

4385

Conference Name

2025 ARVO Annual Meeting, 4-8 May 2025, Salt Lake City, Utah

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the corneal sensitivity threshold measured with a new non-contact corneal esthesiometer (NCE) in eyes that underwent cataract surgery.

Methods: Cross-sectional study of consecutive patients from the Virginia Eye Consultants. Eyes from subjects were divided into those undergoing cataract surgery, and those that did not. Single NCE measurements were performed in all eyes, and corneal sensitivity values were recorded in millibars (mBars). Parameters assessed included age, sex, diabetes, dry eye disease, glaucoma, topical anti-inflammatory medications, and topical pressure-lowering medications (PLMs) in both groups, and the time after surgery in the cataract group. Generalized estimating equation models were used to account for the inter-eye correlation for the same study participant.

Results: 272 eyes (155 patients), 104 (38%) eyes that underwent cataract surgery, and 168 (62%) eyes that did not, were included. Between groups, there was a statistically significant difference between age (p< 0.001), diabetes (< 0.001), dry eye disease (p=0.016), glaucoma (p< 0.001), and topical PLMs (p< 0.001). After adjusting for the previously aforementioned variables, eyes that underwent cataract surgery at < 1 month (4.3+1.4 mBars, p=0.046), < 3 months (4.4+1.5 mBars, p=0.020), < 6 months (4.4+1.5 mBars, p=0.025), and < 9 months (4.3+1.4 mBars, p=0.040) had significantly lower NCE measurements compared with controls (3.5+1.6 mBars). Interestingly, NCE measurements were non-statistically different at 12 months (4.1+1.4 mBars, p=0.068) and 18 months (4.1+1.3 mBars, p=0.127).

Conclusions: Corneal sensitivity, measured with the new NCE, returns after a year post-cataract surgery. Although further studies are required, this device seems to be useful for assessing corneal sensitivity in eyes undergoing cataract surgery.

Original Publication Citation

Drake, T. N., Ruiz Lozano, R. E., Perez, V. L., & Sheppard, J. D. (2025). Corneal sensation epidemiology: Delineating postoperative cataract extraction outcomes. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 66(8), 4385. https://iovs.arvojournals.org/article.aspx?articleid=2808255

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