Use of PTK and Intraoperative Mitomycin C for Anterior Corneal Disease

Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of using intraoperative mitomycin C topically at a concentration of 0.02% during PTK for anterior corneal pathology. Methods: Retrospective chart review of 11 patients who underwent PTK with mitomycin C from July of 2001 to present. Results:After 37 months of follow up no complications have been seen in any of our patients related to the use of one time topical administration of mitomycin C. Average time to heal of the epithelial defect after PTK is less than three days with an average improvement in vision of greater than 2 lines of snellen visual acuity. As of this time we have not seen any recurrence of anterior corneal disease in the region treated with PTK and MMC, however, two patients have had mild peripheral recurrence of disease. Conclusions: Topical intraoperative application of mitomycin C during PTK appears to be safe. Mitomycin C also seems to be additive to PTK for prevention of recurrent anterior corneal disease. MMC also did not retard epithelial defect healing in our patients.

Keywords: refractive surgery: PRK • degenerations/dystrophies • refractive surgery