Reinnervation of the Corneal Graft

Abstract

Corneal graft reinnervation was studied in 45 patients. The reinnervation was correlated to donodrecipient compatibility (HLA and ABO). The sensitivity tended to be normal about 12 months after transplantation.Previous studies on corneal graft reinnervation have shown that sensitivity appears gradually after about 6 weeks (Broberg-Ans 1952). Sensitivity never becomes fully normal, irrespective of the fate of the graft.In recent years the technique of operation has been considerably refined, a fact that might influence the reinnervation. W e therefore decided to reinvestigate the sensitivity of corneal grafts. Materials and MethodsThis study comprises 45 patients subjected to corneal transplantation (45 penetrating grafts).The series comprised 12 cases of keratoconus, 9 cases of herpetic keratitis, 7 cases of non-herpetic keratitis, 10 cases of dystrophy, and 7 cases of traumatic lesions. The material comprises 23 males and 22 females with an age range between 20 and 79 years and an average age of 45 years.The operation technique and postoperative care has been reported elsewhere (Ehlers 1977). HLA-and ABO-compatibility between donor and recipient was determined for all the 45 penetrating transplantations. Corneal sensitivity was measured with the aesthesiometer of Cochet-Bonnet. A nylon filament of thickness 0.12 mm was applied.The sensitivity was considered normal, when the pressure of a filament 2 50 mm could

Corneal Sensitivity in Keratoconus after Penetrating and Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty

“…Keratoplasty cuts corneal nerves, so corneal sensitivity is off in the postoperative period, but improves with nerve growth [2,3,4]. In the current literature, we can find different data about corneal sensitivity after PK [5,6,7], while we cannot find any about DALK. The aim of our research is to evaluate the recovery of corneal sensitivity in the graft following PK or DALK in patients with keratoconus at different time points.…”

“…In the current literature, there are different data about corneal sensitivity after PK. Skriver [6] wrote about a regular corneal sensitivity in the center of the cornea after PK 12 months later. Ruben and Colebrook [18] showed that corneal sensitivity returns regularly after 3 years in one third of patients with keratoconus.…”

Corneal Sensitivity After Ocular Surgery

“…Re-innervation is severely restricted and any recovery of sensation occurs slowly, being initiated at the periphery, with a gradual progression towards the centre of the graft. 70,71,72,73,74,75 This pattern emphasises the importance of a fully-functional stromal nerve supply, in addition to the sub-epithelial plexus, in the recovery of a normal corneal sensitivity.…”