title: Changes in corneal epithelial barrier function after excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul Municipal Boramae, Korea.
authors.forename: J Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Heo
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Y S
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: W R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Wee
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D019793:Fluorescein