[Corneal sensitivity after photocoagulation for diabetic retinopathy].

Corneal sensitivity was determined with the Draeger aesthesiometer in 39 patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy who underwent treatment with a xenon photocoagulator or argon laser. In 29 patients measurements were performed before and after photocoagulation; in 10 patients the unaffected eye was used for comparison. Statistical evaluation showed a significant difference between the mean values for corneal touch threshold before and after argon laser coagulation. After xenon photocoagulation, corneal sensitivity was reduced in all patients (n = 7). It was shown that corneal sensitivity was significant lower after xenon photo coagulation than with argon laser coagulation.