American Journal of Ophthalmology
Volume 139, Issue 6 , Pages 965-971, June 2005

Nerve Growth Factor Concentration and Implications in Photorefractive Keratectomy vs Laser In Situ Keratomileusis

  • Hyung Keun Lee, MD

      Affiliations

    • Institute of Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
    • ,
  • Kyung Sub Lee, MD

      Affiliations

    • BS Kangnam Balgeunsesang Ophthalmology Clinic, Seoul, Korea
    • ,
  • Hyeon Chang Kim, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
    • ,
  • Sung Ho Lee, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Benebiosis Laboratory, Seoul, Korea
    • ,
  • Eung Kweon Kim, MD

      Affiliations

    • Institute of Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
    • Brain Korea 21 project for Medical Science, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea
    • Corresponding Author InformationInquiries to Eung Kweon Kim, MD, Institute of Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 146-92 shinchon-dong, sudaemoon-gu, Seoul, Korea, 135-720; fax: +82-2-3463-1049

Accepted 14 December 2004.

Purpose

To determine whether tear nerve growth factor (NGF) concentration correlates with corneal sensation and ocular surface dryness after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).

Design

Prospective, nonrandomized comparative clinical trial.

Methods

Seventy eyes of 35 patients and 76 eyes of 38 patients underwent PRK and LASIK procedures to correct myopia and myopic astigmatism, respectively. Total tear protein level, tear NGF concentration, tear film breakup time (BUT) and Schirmer values were measured before and 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after surgery.

Results

The postoperative mean tear NGF/total tear protein (NGF/tP) ratio increased in both PRK and LASIK patients compared with preoperative levels (P < .0001). At 1 week and 1 month postoperatively, the NGF/tP ratio was higher in PRK than in LASIK subjects (P < .0001). Before 6 months postoperatively, the mean corneal sensation after LASIK in the ablated zone was lower than the preoperative sensation (P < .0001), but this was not the case in PRK subjects. Mean BUT and Schirmer values were significantly lower in LASIK-treated eyes compared with PRK-treated eyes up to 6 months postoperatively (P < .0001). The early postoperative tear NGF/tP ratio correlated with the postoperative 6-month value of corneal sensation, BUT, and Schirmer values.

Conclusions

The difference in the postoperative corneal sensation and ocular surface dryness between PRK-treated and LASIK-treated eyes might be related to the difference in the early postoperative levels of NGF, which is a potent nerve growth stimulator.

To access this article, please choose from the options below

Login to an existing account or Register a new account.

  • Purchase this article for 31.50 USD (You must login/register to purchase this article)

    Online access for 24 hours. The PDF version can be downloaded as your permanent record.

  • Subscribe to this title

    Get unlimited online access to this article and all other articles in this title 24/7 for one year.

  • Claim access now

    For current subscribers with Society Membership or Account Number.

  • Visit SciVerse ScienceDirect to see if you have access via your institution.
 

 This work was supported by a grant from the Korea Health 21 R&D project, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Republic of Korea (02-PJ1-PG1-CH02-0003).

PII: S0002-9394(04)01594-6

doi:10.1016/j.ajo.2004.12.051

American Journal of Ophthalmology
Volume 139, Issue 6 , Pages 965-971, June 2005

Article Tools

* Image Usage & Resolution