title: Effect of the combination of basic fibroblast growth factor and cysteine on corneal epithelial healing after photorefractive keratectomy in patients affected by myopia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study sought to evaluate the effect of basic fibroblast growth factor eye drops and cysteine oral supplements on corneal healing in patients treated with photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and twenty patients treated bilaterally with PRK for myopia were enrolled at one of two eye centers (Clinica Santa Lucia, Bologna, Italy and Department of Ophthalmology, University of Magna Graecia, Catanzaro, Italy) and were treated at the former center. Sixty patients included in the study group (Group 1) were treated postoperatively with topical basic fibroblast growth factor plus oral L-cysteine supplements, whereas 60 subjects included in the control group (Group 2) received basic fibroblast growth factor eye drops. We recorded the rate of corneal re-epithelialization and patients were followed-up every 30 days for 6 months. Statistical analyses were performed on the collected data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The eyes in Group 1 demonstrated complete re-epithelialization at Day 5, whereas the eyes in Group 2 achieved this status on Day 6. No side-effects were reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients treated with basic fibroblast growth factor eye drops and L-cysteine oral supplements benefit from more rapid corneal re-epithelialization. In human eyes, this combination treatment appeared to be safe and effective in accelerating corneal surfacing after surgery.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  No author has any financial or proprietary interest in any material or method used in this study.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN73824458.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Surgical Specialities, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Meduri
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Scorolli
authors.forename: Sergio Zaccaria
authors.initials: SZ
authors.lastname: Scalinci
authors.forename: Pier Luigi
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Grenga
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lupo
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rechichi
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Meduri
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003545:Cysteine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009216:Myopia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery*; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; D003545:Cysteine