Effect of exogenous keratinocyte growth factor on corneal epithelial migration after photorefractive keratectomy.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of topical keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) on wound healing after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).


METHODS
Department of Ophthalmology, Rayne Institute, St. Thomas' Hospital, London, United Kingdom, St. Erick's Eye Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden, and the University of Regensberg, Regensberg, Germany.


METHODS
In a placebo-controlled trial, 24 New Zealand white female rabbits were divided into 3 equal groups. Group 1 (n=8) had myopic PRK (6.0 diopters [D]) using the Technolas 217z laser (Bausch & Lomb). Group 2 and Group 3 had myopic LASIK (6.0 D) with a flap depth of 140 microm and 180 microm, respectively. Topical KGF (20 microg/mL) was administered to half the treated eyes in each group intraoperatively and postoperatively; the other half received placebo eyedrops. Epithelial closure, corneal haze, and keratocyte activation in the rabbit eyes were analyzed and compared with those in placebo-controlled eyes for 5 weeks postoperatively.


RESULTS
In Group 1, the mean reepithelialization after PRK was 0.10 mm2/h +/- 0.02 (SD) in the KGF group and 0.33 +/- 0.05 mm2/h in the control group (P=.001). There was no significant difference in the mean backscatter between the KGF eyes (154 +/- 45.95) and the control eyes (141 +/- 38.45) after PRK (P=.42). Histology revealed reduced epithelial cell layers in the KGF group and comparable keratocyte density as in the control group. In Groups 2 and 3, there was no significant difference in backscatter, epithelial layers, and keratocyte density between KGF and control eyes after LASIK.


CONCLUSIONS
Topical KGF (20 microg/mL) delayed reepithelialization after PRK. It had no effect on stromal wound healing in LASIK eyes with an intact epithelial barrier.
Department of Ophthalmology, Rayne Institute, St. Thomas' Hospital, London, United Kingdom. msrajan@tiscali.co.uk
Madhavan S
MS
Rajan
Shahram
S
Shafiei
Christoph V W
CV
Mohrenfels
Ann
A
Patmore
Chris
C
Lohmann
John
J
Marshall
Helene
H
Hamberg-Nystrom
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D002452:Cell Count; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects*; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D051523:Fibroblast Growth Factor 7; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors / Q000187:drug effects*; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D009216:Myopia / Q000601:surgery; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy; D011817:Rabbits; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects
D051523:Fibroblast Growth Factor 7; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors