Purpose

To evaluate corneal sensitivity changes in patients with ectropion and entropion before and after surgical correction, and to assess its relationship with ocular surface parameters.

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Methods

Prospective study including 22 patients (44 eyes). The operated eye was defined as the study eye and the fellow eye as control. Corneal sensitivity was measured pre- and postoperatively using a non-contact esthesiometer and classified into a 6-level scale (1 hypersensitivity to 6 severe hyposensitivity). Oxford staining, tear break-up time (TBUT), topical treatments, comorbidities, and prior ocular surgeries were recorded. Statistical analysis included χ², Fisher’s exact test, and McNemar test (α = 0.05).

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Results

At baseline, significant differences were found between operated and control eyes (p 0.05). Normal sensitivity was achieved in 75% of operated eyes, with complete resolution of hypersensitivity cases.

Among eyes with preoperative altered sensitivity, 78.9% normalised after surgery (p < 0.01), whereas no significant changes were observed in control eyes. Overall, improvement occurred in 68.2% of operated eyes compared to 0% of controls.

Ocular surface parameters showed a non-significant trend towards improvement, with better Oxford staining and TBUT values in operated eyes.

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Conclusion

Surgical correction of lower eyelid malpositions results in significant improvement of corneal sensitivity, supporting the hypothesis that neuroepithelial dysfunction is at least partially reversible after anatomical restoration.

Corneal sensitivity assessment may represent a valuable adjunctive biomarker in surgical decision-making and patient selection. Larger studies are warranted to confirm its clinical applicability.

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Additional Authors

First name	Last name	Base Hospital / Institution
Amparo	Lanuza García	University Clinic Hospital, Valencia
Antonio Miguel	Duch Samper	University Clinic Hospital, Valencia
Elena	Navarro Hernández	University Clinic Hospital, Valencia

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