Loss and recovery of corneal sensitivity following photorefractive keratectomy for myopia.

The immediate loss of corneal sensitivity after surgery was due to the total removal of the corneal epithelial nerve supply and a substantial portion of the underlying stromal nerves. The further decrease at week 2 was probably due to the new epithelium acting as barrier to stimulation. The gradual recovery of corneal sensitivity was most likely caused by epithelial reinnervation within the ablation zone, but this was still below normal levels at 1 year after surgery. Corneal nerve function demonstrates a biphasic pattern of loss and recovery following the excimer laser correction of low to moderate myopia.