Effect of mitomycin C on the corneal endothelium when used for corneal subepithelial haze prophylaxis following photorefractive keratectomy.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the potential effect of topical mitomycin C (MMC) on the corneal endothelium of myopic patients undergoing photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).


METHODS
Sixteen eyes with a planned ablation depth >75 microm underwent PRK followed by 0.02% MMC applied for 12 seconds using a methylcellulose sponge. Endothelial specular microscopy was performed with the Keeler-Konan specular photomicroscope in 16 eyes before and at least 1 year after surgery. Mean follow-up was 18 months (range: 12 to 24 months). Mean cell density, coefficient of variation of mean cell area, and percentage of hexagonal cells were measured and calculated using computerized morphometric analysis.


RESULTS
Mean endothelial cell densities before and after surgery were 2882 +/- 783 cells/mm2 (range: 1511 to 4022 cells/mm2) and 2867 +/- 588 cells/mm2 (range: 1638 to 3881 cells/mm2), respectively (P > .05). Mean coefficient of variation before and after surgery was 0.30 +/- 0.07 (range: 0.23 to 0.49) and 0.26 +/- 0.04 (range: 0.22 to 0.33), respectively (P=.06). Mean percentage of hexagonal cells before and after surgery was 61% +/- 6.8% (range: 47% to 70%) and 66% +/- 6.7% (range: 54% to 75%), respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Administration of MMC for haze prophylaxis following PRK did not have a significant effect on quantitative endothelial cell density or qualitative morphometric parameters in this study.
Goldsberry
Dennis H
DH
Cornea Service, Department of Ophthalmology, Rush University Medical Center, USA.
Epstein
Randy J
RJ
Majmudar
Parag A
PA
Epstein
Rachel H
RH
Dennis
Richard F
RF
Holley
Glenn
G
Edelhauser
Henry F
HF
D002452:Cell Count; D003318:Corneal Opacity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D016685:Mitomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009216:Myopia / Q000601:surgery; D019384:Nucleic Acid Synthesis Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control
D019384:Nucleic Acid Synthesis Inhibitors; D016685:Mitomycin