J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2003 Dec;44(12):2876-2884.

Effect of Mitomycin C on Rabbit Corneal Wound Healing after Excimer Laser Photorefractive Keratectomy

• Lee JH
• Ahn JH
• Lew HM
• Lee DH

Abstract

PURPOSE
We investigated the effect of Mitomycin C (MMC) on corneal wound healing after excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) in rabbits. METHODS: Excimer laser PRK was performed on 11 white rabbits. Right eyes underwent intraoperative application of 0.02% MMC (MMC group) and left eyes underwent intraoperative application of BSS (control group) for 2 minutes. Corneal opacity was described with slit-lamp biomicroscope at 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks after PRK. Endothelial cell count and corneal thickness were measured at preoperative period and postoperative 3 weeks. RESULTS: Subepithelial opacity was grade 2 in MMC group and control group at postoperative 1 week. Subepithelial opacity was grade 2 in 1 of 10 eyes of MMC group and was also grade 2 in 8 of 10 eyes of control group at postoperative 2 weeks. Epithelial healing was delayed in MMC group. Corneal thickness showed no relevant difference in MMC group and control group between preoperative and postoperative periods. Endothelial cell count decreased in postoperative period in MMC group while endothelial cell count showed no relevant difference in control group between preoperative and postoperative periods. CONCLUSIONS: The application of 0.02% MMC after PRK for 2 minutes reduced corneal haze. However, delayed healing of corneal epithelium and damage of endothelium can be induced if MMC is not washed thoroughly.

Keyword

Eximer laser phtorefractive keratectomy; Mitomycin C

MeSH Terms

Corneal Opacity
Endothelial Cells
Endothelium
Epithelium, Corneal
Lasers, Excimer*
Mitomycin*
Photorefractive Keratectomy*
Postoperative Period
Preoperative Period
Rabbits
Wound Healing*
Wounds and Injuries*
Mitomycin