Topical interferon alpha 2b for corneal haze after excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy. The Melbourne Excimer Laser Group.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether topical interferon alpha 2b (IFN-alpha) prevents corneal haze after excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).


METHODS
Tertiary referral ophthalmic hospital.


METHODS
A prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study of 31 patients was undertaken. After surgery in a single institution, patients received a drop of either a placebo or IFN-alpha (5 x 10(6) IU/ml) four times daily for 4 weeks. The main outcome measures were corneal haze, refraction, and visual acuity.


RESULTS
The major side effect of interferon alpha treatment was a significant delay in epithelial healing by a mean of 2 days. The means of the average post-treatment clinical scores for haze in all patients up to 12 months after surgery were 0.46 +/- 0.25 for the IFN-alpha group and 0.64 +/- 0.43 for the placebo group (P = .20). Of patients with a correction of greater than 5.00 diopters (D), the IFN-alpha group had significantly less haze over the course of the study (0.39 +/- 0.23 versus 0.98 +/- 0.50; P = .03). After 12 months, the mean absolute spherical equivalent in the two groups was not significantly different (1.02 +/- 1.13 D versus 1.44 +/- 2.64 D). There was a tendency toward better uncorrected visual acuity in the INF-alpha group (P < .10, Kolmogorov-Smirnov).


CONCLUSIONS
Topical IFN-alpha may merit further investigation as a treatment to reduce corneal haze after excimer laser PRK for corrections greater than 5.00 D.
Gillies
M C
MC
University of Department of Ophthalmology, Sydney Eye Hospital, Woolloomooloo NSW, Australia.
Garrett
S K
SK
Shina
S M
SM
Morlet
N
N
Taylor
H R
HR
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015350:Contrast Sensitivity; D003315:Cornea / Q000187:drug effects / Q000601:surgery; D003318:Corneal Opacity / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012029:Refraction, Ocular; D014792:Visual Acuity
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011994:Recombinant Proteins