Effect of anti-inflammatory agents on corneal wound-healing process after surface excimer laser keratectomy.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of anti-inflammatory agents on conjunctival inflammation and corneal haze formation after excimer laser keratectomy.


METHODS
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Tokyo Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.


METHODS
After excimer laser keratectomy was performed in 21 rabbits (42 eyes), saline, betamethasone 0.1%, or diclofenac 0.1% was topically applied 6 times a day for 4 weeks and then 3 times a day for 8 weeks. The degree of conjunctival inflammation was determined 1, 2, 3, and 7 days after the keratectomy. The degree of corneal haze was quantitatively measured using a digital analyzer before and once a week after the keratectomy. The expression of type IV collagen in the corneas at baseline and 4 and 12 weeks after the keratectomy was examined immunohistochemically.


RESULTS
Compared with saline, betamethasone and diclofenac significantly decreased early-phase conjunctival inflammation. Betamethasone significantly inhibited corneal haze formation compared with saline at 3 to 5 and 8 to 12 weeks. Diclofenac did not inhibit corneal haze formation significantly. Although betamethasone tended to be more effective in inhibiting corneal haze formation and deposition of type IV collagen than diclofenac, there was no statistical difference between the 2 anti-inflammatory agents.


CONCLUSIONS
Topically applied betamethasone effectively suppressed corneal haze formation after excimer laser keratectomy. Diclofenac was not statistically effective in inhibiting corneal haze formation.
Kaji
Y
Y
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Tokyo Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Amano
S
S
Oshika
T
T
Obata
H
H
Ohashi
T
T
Sakai
H
H
Shirasawa
E
E
Tsuru
T
T
Yamashita
H
H
D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001623:Betamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D003231:Conjunctivitis / Q000517:prevention & control; D003315:Cornea / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D003318:Corneal Opacity / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004008:Diclofenac / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D008297:Male; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011817:Rabbits; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D004008:Diclofenac; D003094:Collagen; D001623:Betamethasone