Changes in corneal sensation following 20 and 23 G vitrectomy in diabetic and non-diabetic patients

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the changes in corneal sensation (CS) following two different port sizes vitrectomy in diabetic and non-diabetic patients. Patients and Methods: Patients prepared for pars plana vitrectomy were randomly assigned to four groups: diabetics to either 20 G or 23 G and non-diabetics to either 20 G or 23 G vitrectomy systems. CS was measured using the Cochet-Bonnet aesthesiometer at baseline preoperatively, and at 1 day, 1 week, and 1 month postoperative. Results: A total of 40 eyes of 40 patients were included in this study; 20 patients (20 eyes) in each of the 20-G and 23-G groups. The mean age was 55.51±10 years and male/female ratio was 2:3. There were no significant difference between CS at baseline, and at 1 day, 1 week, and 1 month between both the 20-G and 23-G groups. There were significant drops in CSs at 1 day and 1 week for both groups (20 G and 23 G) with incomplete recovery for the 20-G group and complete recovery for the 23-G group. Comparing the two diabetic subgroups (20 G and 23 G) and two non-diabetic subgroups (20 G and 23 G), there were no significant differences in CS between subgroups. Diabetics' eyes had lower CSs throughout the study period in the 20-G and 23-G groups, which was significant at day1 and week 1 postoperatively. Conclusion: The vitrectomy procedure showed reduction in CS in the postoperative period with minimal nonsignificant difference between 20 G and 23 G systems. However, diabetics' eyes showed compromised CS preoperatively and a further significant reduction for 1 month postoperatively compared with non-diabetics.