Changes in corneal epithelial barrier function after excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy.
OBJECTIVE
To use fluorophotometry to measure corneal epithelial barrier function after excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).


METHODS
Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.


METHODS
Twenty-five eyes of 21 patients (13 women, 8 men) had PRK to correct myopia. Corneal epithelial healing time was measured and corneal epithelial permeability to sodium fluorescein evaluated by fluorophotometry 1, 2, and 3 weeks after surgery.


RESULTS
Epithelial permeability showed a statistically significant increase 1 week after surgery and returned to its preoperative level 1 week later. Comparative studies according to epithelial healing day and corrected diopter showed results that were not statistically significant (P > .05).


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that PRK delays complete reconstruction of corneal epithelial barrier function. In humans, the corneal epithelium regained its normal barrier function 2 weeks after PRK. Thus, at least during these weeks, care should be taken to minimize further epithelial trauma.
Kim
J Y
JY
Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul Municipal Boramae, Korea.
Heo
J H
JH
Park
S J
SJ
Choi
Y S
YS
Wee
W R
WR
Lee
J H
JH
D000328:Adult; D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability / Q000502:physiology; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D019793:Fluorescein / Q000378:metabolism; D015590:Fluorophotometry; D006801:Humans; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D008297:Male; D009216:Myopia / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology
D019793:Fluorescein