Antioxidant activity of tear fluid and antioxidant therapy in myopic patients after laser in situ keratomileusis.
OBJECTIVE
To study the antioxidant activity of the tear fluid after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).


METHODS
Antioxidant activity of the tear fluid was investigated in 12 eyes of seven patients with myopia who underwent LASIK. All patients were treated with the Nidek EC-5000 excimer laser using the Chiron Vision Hansatome HT-230 microkeratome. The hemoluminescence method for assessment of antioxidant activity of tear fluid was used.


RESULTS
Increase in antioxidant activity of tear fluid was found in 50% of eyes and decrease was found in 25% of eyes on day 4 after surgery. In 25% of eyes, antioxidant activity did not change. Parameters of antioxidant activity returned approximately to preoperative levels in 75% of eyes on the 7th day. In eyes with increased antioxidant activity on the 7th day, signs of epitheliopathy and light dystrophic corneal flap changes were found. Topical use of antioxidants led to clinical improvement.


CONCLUSIONS
In eyes with epithelial or corneal flap problems after LASIK, we recommend 2-week antioxidant therapy for cornea protection from oxygen-derived free radicals.
Smirennaia
Elena
E
New Line Vision Ophthalmology Research Centre, Moscow, Russia. nlvision@online.ru
Kourenkov
Vyacheslav
V
Chesnokova
Natalya B
NB
Kuznetsova
Tatyana R
TR
D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003315:Cornea / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005609:Free Radicals / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D017665:Hydroxyl Radical / Q000378:metabolism; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D009216:Myopia / Q000378:metabolism / Q000601:surgery*; D018375:Neutrophil Activation; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000378:metabolism; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism; D013666:Tears / Q000378:metabolism*
D000975:Antioxidants; D005609:Free Radicals; D013481:Superoxides; D017665:Hydroxyl Radical