The effect of topical corticosteroids on refractive outcome and corneal haze after photorefractive keratectomy.
BACKGROUND
The effect of topical corticosteroids after excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) remains a matter of some controversy. Refractive effects may be different according to the amount of myopia and timing of instillation.


METHODS
Two groups of patients were studied: Study A consisted of 215 eyes (128 patients) with PRK (mean baseline myopia, -6.53 +/- 2.22 D) that received no corticosteroids (No Corticosteroid Group) unless significant regression or corneal haze appeared (Delayed Corticosteroid Group), and in Study B, we randomly assigned eyes to the Initial Corticosteroid Group (mean baseline myopia, -6.39 +/- 1.84 D) or the No/delayed Corticosteroid Group (mean baseline myopia -5.78 +/- 2.02 D). Clinical results after PRK for low-to-moderate and high myopia were compared.


RESULTS
In the first group, 70.9% (73 eyes) of moderately myopic eyes (mean, -4.56 +/- 1.10 D) belonged to the No Corticosteroid Group that had a mean refraction of -5.39 +/- 1.77 D. Delayed Corticosteroid Group eyes were more myopic (mean, -7.52 +/- 2.10 D), and showed more severe haze than those in the No Corticosteroid Group. In study B, only in high myopes with more than -6.00 D (mean, -7.76 +/- 1.15 D) did refraction and corneal haze outcomes show significant difference between the Initial Corticosteroid Group and the No/delayed Corticosteroid Group.


CONCLUSIONS
The effects of topical corticosteroids after PRK were less in moderate myopes compared to high myopes. Delayed instillation of corticosteroids did not reverse the regression or haze whereas initial instillation showed a beneficial effect on high myopes but not on moderate myopes.
Baek
S H
SH
Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Korea.
Chang
J H
JH
Choi
S Y
SY
Kim
W J
WJ
Lee
J H
JH
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003315:Cornea / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D003318:Corneal Opacity / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005469:Fluorometholone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D006801:Humans; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009216:Myopia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012029:Refraction, Ocular / Q000502:physiology*
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D005469:Fluorometholone