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Myung-Jin Joo, MD; Kevin R. Yuhan, MD; Joon Young Hyon, MD; Hong Lai, PhD; Stacey Hose, BA; Debasish Sinha, PhD; Terrence P. O'Brien, MD

Arch Ophthalmol. 2004;122:1338-1341.

Objective  To determine if topically administered nerve growth factor (NGF) plays a role in accelerating the recovery of corneal sensitivity after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).

Methods  A prospective double-masked study comparing the effect of topical NGF with balanced salt solution on corneal sensitivity after LASIK in rabbits. Preoperative and postoperative corneal sensitivities were assessed using an esthesiometer (Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer).

Results  Eyes that were treated with topical NGF demonstrated an earlier and faster recovery of corneal sensitivity after LASIK (P = .007). A statistically significant difference in corneal sensitivity was found between the topical NGF and control group postoperatively at 2 (P = .01), 3 (P = .03), and 4 (P = .03) weeks.

Conclusion  Topically administered NGF may play a significant role in accelerating corneal reinnervation after LASIK.

Clinical Relevance  Our results showed that topical NGF had beneficial effects in the early recovery of corneal sensitivity after LASIK. Nerve growth factor can be a new therapeutic approach for dry eye syndrome after LASIK.

From the Wilmer Eye Institute, The Johns Hopkins Hospital (Drs Joo, Yuhan, Hyon, Lai, Sinha, and O'Brien, and Ms Hose), and Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (Dr Sinha), Baltimore, Md. The authors have no relevant financial interest in this article.

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