title: The role of fibroblast inhibitors on corneal healing following photorefractive keratectomy with 193-nanometer excimer laser in rabbits.
abstract: Corneal stromal haze has been seen following photorefractive keratectomy with the 193-nanometer excimer laser. Topical antimetabolites aimed at decreasing the haze have been investigated in the rabbit model. We used the VISX 193-nanometer excimer laser to create 6.0-millimeter, -5.00-diopter ablations in 10 Dutch rabbits. Each rabbit was randomized to treatment groups using topical prednisolone acetate, 5-fluorouracil, heparin, prednisolone and heparin, or prednisolone and 5-fluorouracil. Topical agents were instilled twice daily for 2 weeks. Corneal stromal haze developed in all of the eyes. At 2 weeks, there was a significant difference between the degree of haze in the treated eyes and in the untreated controls (P = .02). At 6 weeks, no significant difference remained (P = .07). There were no significant differences in corneal haze among the treatment groups. Thus, all treatments reduced haze at 2 weeks, but the effect was transient, with controls clearing to an equivalent haze by 6 weeks. We conclude that the agents investigated in this rabbit model provided only a transient benefit in reducing corneal haze following excimer laser photoablation.
authors.affiliation: Sinai Hospital of Detroit, Mich.
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Bergman
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Spigelman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003315:Cornea / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D003318:Corneal Opacity / Q000473:pathology; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000473:pathology; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D053685:Laser Therapy; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011817:Rabbits; D011897:Random Allocation; D054140:Refractive Surgical Procedures; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D006493:Heparin; D011239:Prednisolone; D005472:Fluorouracil