Evaluation of the Prophylactic Use of Mitomycin to Inhibit Haze Formation after LASEK

Kim, Eung Suk; Jin, Kyung Hyun

Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of the prophylactic use of mitomycin C in low concentration and short duration (0.01%, 60 sec) in inhibiting haze formation after laser epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK).
METHODS
Forty-two eyes of 71 patients with refractive error from -5.0 D to -8.50 D were enrolled in this study. The eyes were divided into 2 groups according to the use of mitomycin C. All eyes were examined for refraction, UCVA, BCVA, and the incidence and degree of corneal haze before surgery and at 1, 3, 6 months after operation.
RESULTS
Fifty-one eyes were operated by LASEK with intraoperative application of 0.01% mitomycin C for 60 seconds and 20 eyes were operated by LASEK without mitomycin C. There was no statistical difference in UCVA, BCVA, and spherical equivalent between 2 groups. In the study group, the degree of corneal haze was 0.54+/-0.39. 0.38+/-0.48, 0.30+/-0.50 at 1, 3, 6 months after operation and in the control group, 0.92+/-0.58, 0.79+/-0.66, 0.50+/-0.60 at 1, 3, 6 months after operation respectively. The difference in the postoperative corneal haze between 2 groups was statistically significant at 1, 3 months after operation, but at 6 months the difference was not statistically significant.
CONCLUSIONS
In this study, intraoperative single use of mitomycin C in lower concentration and short duration could reduce the formation of corneal haze effectively in early postoperative period after LASEK. A more longterm period of follow up will be required to assess the continuous effect of mitomycin C on inhibiting corneal haze after LASEK.