Early corneal edema following topical application of mitomycin-C.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of mitomycin-C (MMC) on the cornea after a single intraoperative application.


METHODS
Department of Ophthalmology, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, Ban-Chiao, Taipei, Taiwan.


METHODS
Mechanical epithelium debridement of the central 10.0 mm of the cornea was performed in 63 pigmented rabbits. One group of corneas (MMC1, n = 42) was soaked with MMC 0.01% solution for 2 minutes; the second group (MMC2, n = 42) was soaked with MMC 0.02% solution for 2 minutes. Control corneas (n = 42) were soaked with balanced salt solution for 2 minutes. Changes in the central corneal thickness, clarity, epithelial defect size, endothelial cell density, and endothelial apoptosis in the 3 groups were examined on days 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, and 14.


RESULTS
There was a dose-dependent increase in corneal thickness, decrease in corneal clarity, and increase in endothelial apoptosis after a single intraoperative application of MMC. The endothelium was significantly swollen and became pleomorphic and polymegethic with a concomitant decrease in endothelial cell density, also in a dose-dependent manner.


CONCLUSIONS
A single application of MMC on the corneal surface caused dose-dependent corneal edema and endothelial apoptosis in the rabbit model. Further clinical study of human eyes is warranted.
Chang
Shu-Wen
SW
Department of Ophthalmology, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, 21 ZSection 2, Nan-Ya South Road, Ban-Chiao, Taipei 220, Taiwan. swchang@mail.femh.org.tw
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D002452:Cell Count; D015715:Corneal Edema / Q000139:chemically induced*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D016685:Mitomycin / Q000633:toxicity*; D019384:Nucleic Acid Synthesis Inhibitors / Q000633:toxicity*; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011817:Rabbits
D019384:Nucleic Acid Synthesis Inhibitors; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D016685:Mitomycin