title: Effect of topical vitamin E on ethanol-induced corneal epithelial apoptosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Ethanol is used to loosen the corneal epithelium before photoablation in laser subepithelial keratomileusis (LASEK). In this study, the apoptotic index of corneal epithelium after ethanol exposure and the effects of topical vitamin E were evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was performed on 28 rabbit eyes in four groups. Group 1 comprised the controls. In group 2, 20% ethanol was applied topically for 20 seconds. In group 3, topical vitamin E was applied following 20% ethanol application. In group 4, only topical vitamin E was applied. Apoptosis was evaluated with TUNEL assay and transmission electron microscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Epithelial apoptosis was detected in all specimens in group 2. No apoptosis was detected in other groups except for one eye in group 1. The apoptotic index in group 2 was statistically higher than other groups (P < .001).
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Gazi University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey. bilgihan@gazi.edu.tr
authors.forename: Kamil
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bilgihan
authors.forename: Onur
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Konuk
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hondur
authors.forename: Nalan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Akyürek
authors.forename: Candan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ozogul
authors.forename: Berati
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hasanreisoglu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017209:Apoptosis; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011817:Rabbits; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D014810:Vitamin E; D000431:Ethanol