Comparison of laser epithelial keratomileusis with and without the use of mitomycin C.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the results of prophylactic intraoperative use of mitomycin C (MMC) in laser epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK).


METHODS
A retrospective analysis of 30 LASEK cases that received MMC 0.02% intraoperatively (MMC group) was performed and compared to the results obtained in 28 LASEK cases not receiving MMC (no MMC group). Mitomycin C was placed in contact with the ablation zone for 75 seconds with an imbibed microsponge. Both groups received postoperative fluorometholone for 3 months. Preoperative spherical equivalent refraction was -5.72 +/- 2.82 diopters (D) in the MMC group and -5.81 +/- 2.74 D in the no MMC group. Best spectacle-corrected visual acuity was 0.88 +/- 0.12 in the MMC group and 0.88 +/- 0.13 in the no MMC group.


RESULTS
Spherical equivalent refraction at 6 months postoperatively was +0.11 +/- 0.13 D in the MMC group and +0.09 +/- 0.37 D in the no MMC group. Best spectacle-corrected visual acuity was 0.90 +/- 0.13 in the MMC group and 0.88 +/- 0.13 in the no MMC group. Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) > or = 20/40 was obtained in 93.3% of cases in the MMC group and in 89.3% of cases in the no MMC group; UCVA > or = 20/25 was achieved in 76.6% of cases in the MMC group and in 71.4% of cases in the no MMC group. Haze incidence for the MMC group was: trace: 0%, Grades I: 0%, II: 0%, III 0%, IV: 0%, and for the no MMC group: trace: 17.9%, Grades I: 3.6%, II: 0%, III: 0%, IV: 0%. A statistically significant difference (P<.001) was noted in haze intensity between the MMC group and no MMC group.


CONCLUSIONS
Prophylactic use of intraoperative MMC in LASEK significantly decreases haze incidence.
Argento
Carlos
C
Instituto de la Visión, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Cosentino
María José
MJ
Ganly
Marcela
M
D000328:Adult; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007432:Intraoperative Period; D049008:Keratectomy, Subepithelial, Laser-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D016685:Mitomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009216:Myopia / Q000601:surgery*; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012029:Refraction, Ocular; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D016685:Mitomycin