title: The effect of topical corticosteroids on refractive outcome and corneal haze after photorefractive keratectomy. A prospective, randomized, double-blind trial.
abstract: In this study, we report the results of a prospective, double-blind trial to determine whether high-dose topical corticosteroids have an effect on refractive outcome or anterior stromal haze after photorefractive keratectomy. A total of 113 patients were allocated randomly to either placebo- or steroid-treated groups (0.1% dexamethasone metasulphobenzoate for 3 months) and underwent either -3.00-diopter (D) or -6.00-D procedures. At 6 weeks, the mean change in refraction was significantly greater in the steroid-treated group than in the placebo-treated group (-3.00-D group, P = .0015; -6.00-D group, P = .0011). However, when corticosteroids were discontinued at 3 months, this difference became statistically insignificant. There was no statistically significant effect on anterior stromal haze at any stage. Since long-term use of corticosteroids to maintain the initial beneficial effect on refraction would be unacceptable, we conclude that these agents should not be used after photorefractive keratectomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, St Thomas' Hospital, London, England.
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Gartry
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Muir
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Lohmann
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Marshall
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002701:Chloramphenicol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003318:Corneal Opacity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003519:Cyclopentolate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009216:Myopia / Q000601:surgery*; D010656:Phenylephrine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012029:Refraction, Ocular; D013997:Time Factors; D014326:Tropanes / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D014326:Tropanes; D010656:Phenylephrine; D002701:Chloramphenicol; C100236:homatropine; D003519:Cyclopentolate