The authors aimed to establish normative data regarding corneal sensitivity in a paediatric age group. They included 122 right eyes of 122 children with mean age of 11.29 ±4.6 years (aged 5–18 years); 63 female and 59 male. Bilateral corneal sensitivity measurements were made with the Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer for 5 corneal regions (central, superior, inferior, nasal and temporal). Mean corneal sensitivity values were 5.16 ±0.47, 5.16 ±0.48, 5.19 ±0.47, 5.18 ±0.46 and 5.18 ±0.45, respectively for these regions. There were no significant differences for quadrant or sex. A negative correlation was found for age and corneal sensitivity with significant age-related differences for different age groups: sensitivity was significantly less in ages 8–13 years vs 2–7 years, and for 14–18 years vs 8–13 years. Hence, there appears to be a progressive reduction in corneal sensitivity with increasing age independent of sex and quadrant. The authors acknowledge limitations of a cross-sectional study without control for potential confounding factors such as seasonal variations or time of day at testing. Further, this was a single-centre study with lack of adult control group. However, the study provides useful reference values.
Normative data values for childhood corneal sensitivity
Reviewed by Fiona Rowe
Establishing normative data for pediatric corneal sensitivity.
CONTRIBUTOR
Fiona Rowe (Prof)
Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, UK.
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