Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: To determine the effect of mitomycin C on the corneal keratoacyte following single intra–operative application. Methods: Sixty–three pigmented rabbits received mechanical epithelium debridement of the central 10 mm cornea. MMC1 corneas (n = 42) received 0.01% mitomycin C solution soaking for 2 minutes while MMC2 corneas (n = 42) received 0.02% mitomycin C solution soaking for 2 minutes. Control corneas (n = 42) underwent balanced salt solution soaking for 2 minutes. Changes of the central corneal thickness, corneal clarity, epithelial defect size, and keratocyte apoptosis in the three groups were examined on days 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 14. Results: There was a dose dependent increase in corneal thickness, decrease in corneal clarity, and increased in keratocyte apoptosis after single intraoperative mitomycin C application in a dose dependent manner. Conclusions: Single application of mitomycin C on the corneal surface caused a dose dependent corneal edema and keratocyte apoptosis in this rabbit model.
Keywords: refractive surgery • refractive surgery: PRK • cornea: stroma and keratocytes