Abstract
Purpose::
Chronic use of BAK containing medications alter wound healing in ocular surgery. The purpose of this study is o compare the effects of travoprost Z 0.004% (containing a preservative system without BAK) and latanoprost 0.005% containing 0.02% BAK on human corneal epithelial healing using an in vitro model.
Methods::
Immortalized human corneal epithelial cells (10.014 pRSV-T HCE) were grown in collagen coated 96 well plates. Lesions were created by dipping a brass probe into liquid nitrogen for 15 sec and touching the cells in the well for about 5 sec. Lesions were measured at baseline, as well as 1, 2 and 3 days after creation of the wound. Cells were exposed to culture medium (control, Defined Keratinocyte-SFM) and an artificial tear (Systane®) as well as a 1:10 dilution of the commercial formulations of travoprost Z and latanoprost. Wound area was measured and expressed in µm2. Statistical analyses were performed using a one-way analysis of variance with Duncan multiple comparisons.
Results::
One day after creation of the wound, the latanoprost-treated group had the largest wound size, however, the sizes of the wounds were not statistically different among the groups (µm2; media = 0.24, Systane = 0.27, travoprost Z = 0.29, latanoprost = 0.36; p > 0.05). At day 2, the wound sizes were not significantly different among travoprost Z, the artificial tear and the media control, however, latanoprost had significantly larger wound areas (µm2; media = 0.10, Systane = 0.12, travoprost Z = 0.18, latanoprost = 0.35; p < 0.05).
Conclusions::
Latanoprost 0.005% containing 0.02% BAK delayed epithelial healing while travoprost 0.004% Z with an alternative preservative system was similar to the media and artificial tear controls in terms of epithelial healing and migration. These findings may alter drug choice in patients undergoing surgery with both normal and compromised ocular surfaces.
Keywords: cornea: epithelium • wound healing • ocular irritancy/toxicity testing