Photorefractive keratectomy with mitomycin C versus LASIK in custom surgeries for myopia: a bilateral prospective randomized clinical trial

Clinical outcomes of single-step transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy and off-flap epipolis-laser in situ keratomileusis in moderate to high myopia: 12-month follow-up

Background

To compare the quantitative and qualitative optical outcomes of single-step transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy (TPRK) and off-flap epipolis-laser in situ keratomileusis (Epi-LASIK) in moderate to high myopia.

Methods

In this prospective self-control study, we included patients with moderate to high myopia who were randomized to undergo TPRK in one eye and Epi-LASIK in the other eye. Twelve-month follow-up results for visual acuity, refraction, ocular high-order aberrations, contrast sensitivity, postoperative pain, epithelial healing, and haze grade were assessed.

Results

A total of 64 eyes (32 patients) were enrolled in the study. More eyes completed re-epithelialization in the TPRK group than in the Off-flap Epi-LASIK group 3–4 days postoperatively, while all eyes completed re-epithelialization by 7 days. More eyes achieved a visual acuity (both UDVA and CDVA) of better than 20/20 in the TPRK group than in the Off-flap Epi-LASIK group. The ±0.50 D predictability for correction of the spherical equivalent (SE) was higher in the eyes of the TPRK group (91%) than in those of the off-flap Epi-LASIK group (80%) 12 months after surgery. No significant differences in ocular aberrations, including coma, spherical, and trefoil, were found between the two groups at 12 months. There were also no significant differences in visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, pain, and haze grading between the two groups.

Conclusions

Both TPRK and off-flap Epi-LASIK are safe, effective, and predictable treatments for moderate to high myopia with comparable surgical outcomes.

Trial registration

This study was retrospectively registered on ClinicalTrial.gov (NCT05060094, 17/09/2021).

Quality of Vision Following LASIK and PRK-MMC for Treatment of Myopia

INTRODUCTION

Femtosecond-assisted thin flap, laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and photorefractive keratectomy with mitomycin-C (PRK-MMC) are the two most common refractive surgical procedures used to enhance visual capability in the U.S military. The purposes of the study were to examine effects on quality of vision following LASIK and PRK-MMC using a novel computer-based quick contrast sensitivity function (qCSF) test.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This prospective clinical study included 58 active duty U.S. military service members who elected LASIK (n = 29) or PRK-MMC (n = 29) refractive surgery for myopia (nearsightedness) treatment. Monocular photopic and mesopic quality of vision of the right eyes in spectacle correction preoperatively and unaided right eyes at four postoperative follow-up visits (1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, and 3 months) were examined using the qCSF device. Two qCSF parameters, area under a log CSF (AULCSF) between 1.5 and 18 cycles per degree, and CSF cutoff acuity (CSF Acuity), were collected using a 50-trial setting at a 4-m testing distance. General linear model (GLM) Repeated-measures Analysis of Covariance was used to examine effects on quality of vision following LASIK and PRK-MMC. Post hoc testing with Bonferroni correction was used for pairwise comparisons, and preoperative cylinder refraction was used as a covariate. Two-tailed independent t-test was used to compare preoperative and postoperative parameters between LASIK and PRK-MMC. Pearson's correlation, Bland-Altman plots, and multiple linear regression were used to examine the relationship among the qCSF and other vision tests.

RESULTS

Quality of vision, AULCSF, and CSF Acuity returned to the preoperative baseline at postoperative 2 weeks under mesopic condition and at postoperative 1 month under photopic condition after PRK-MMC. In comparison, photopic and mesopic quality of vision were not significantly different from the baseline at any of the four postoperative visits following LASIK. Changes of CSF Acuity from the baseline after LASIK were significantly better under photopic than mesopic condition by 0.067 ± 0.014 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR); P < .001). Quality of vision was not significantly different between the LASIK and PRK-MMC groups at postoperative 1 and 3 months. When predicting photopic AULCSF (overall model fit R2 = 0.47), 5% contrast acuity (beta = -0.43), visual acuity in 100% contrast (beta = -0.18), and residual refraction in spherical equivalent (beta = 0.20) were significant predictors (P ≤ .001), while high-order aberrations (beta = -0.07, P = .22) were not significant predictors. Visual acuity (beta = -0.12, P = .07) and high-order aberrations (beta = -0.04, P = .58) were not significant predictors of mesopic AULCSF. Bland-Altman plots show that photopic CSF Acuity and visual acuity had a mean difference of 0.19 ± 0.01 logMAR with limits of agreement (LOAs) at -0.01 and 0.39 logMAR. Photopic CSF Acuity and 5% contrast acuity had a mean difference of -0.06 ± 0.01 logMAR with LOAs at -0.33 and 0.21 logMAR.

CONCLUSION

Quality of vision recovers at postoperative 1 week after LASIK and at postoperative 1 month after PRK-MMC. The standard black-on-white high-contrast, chart-based visual acuity test is weak in predicting quality of vision. The qCSF detects mild-to-moderate visual changes and is suitable for quality of vision assessment following refractive eye surgery.

Myopia

Myopia, also known as short-sightedness or near-sightedness, is a very common condition that typically starts in childhood. Severe forms of myopia (pathologic myopia) are associated with a risk of other associated ophthalmic problems. This disorder affects all populations and is reaching epidemic proportions in East Asia, although there are differences in prevalence between countries. Myopia is caused by both environmental and genetic risk factors. A range of myopia management and control strategies are available that can treat this condition, but it is clear that understanding the factors involved in delaying myopia onset and slowing its progression will be key to reducing the rapid rise in its global prevalence. To achieve this goal, improved data collection using wearable technology, in combination with collection and assessment of data on demographic, genetic and environmental risk factors and with artificial intelligence are needed. Improved public health strategies focusing on early detection or prevention combined with additional effective therapeutic interventions to limit myopia progression are also needed.

Utility of nanomedicine targeting scar-forming myofibroblasts to attenuate corneal scarring and haze

Corneal scarring refers to the loss of normal corneal tissue, replaced by fibrotic tissue (during wound repair) thereby affecting corneal transparency and vision quality. The corneal wound healing process involves a complex series of physiological events resulting in the transformation of transparent keratocytes into opaque myofibroblasts; the prominent cause of irregular extracellular matrix synthesis leading to the development of corneal opacity/hazy vision. Globally, corneal scarring/haze is one of the most prevalent causes of blindness. Ocular trauma (physical and chemical) and microbial infections induce corneal tissue damage. Although great progress has been made in the clinical management of ocular diseases, the global rates of corneal blindness remain high, nonetheless. The topical conventional modalities treating corneal wounds/injuries have inherent limitations/side effects such as low bioavailability of a therapeutic agent, upregulation of the intraocular pressure and the toxicity/allergy of the drug. These limitations/side effects rather than treating the wound, often negatively affect the healing process, especially, when applied frequently for longer periods. Recently, there has been an increasing evidence provided by the preclinical studies that nanotechnology-based drug-delivery systems can improve drug bioavailability, through controlled drug release and targeted delivery. After reviewing the epidemiology, risk factors of corneal scarring/haze and the conventional ocular medicines, we review here the different nanodrug-delivery systems and potential drug candidates including nanoherbal formulations investigated for their efficacy to heal the damaged cornea. Finally, we discuss the challenges of using these nanomedicinal platforms.

Myopia correction with transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy versus femtosecond-assisted laser in situ keratomileusis: One-year case-matched analysis

PURPOSE

To compare the postoperative clinical outcomes of single-step transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and femtosecond-assisted laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).

SETTING

Bergman Clinics, Utrecht, the Netherlands.

DESIGN

Retrospective case series.

METHODS

The eyes of consecutive patients who had transepithelial PRK were retrospectively compared with the same number of case-matched eyes (based on the preoperative refractive components) treated with femtosecond-assisted LASIK. The clinical outcomes evaluated were predictability, refractive outcomes, and visual acuity. The Student t test and chi-square test were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

The study compared 98 patients (196 eyes) who had transepithelial PRK with the outcomes in 196 case-matched eyes that had femtosecond-assisted LASIK. All patients completed the 1-year follow-up. At 1 year, 130 eyes (66%) in the transepithelial PRK group and 91 eyes (46%) in the femtosecond-assisted LASIK group achieved an uncorrected distance visual acuity of -0.1 logMAR or better (P < .005), 4 eyes (2%) in the transepithelial PRK and 2 eyes (1%) in the femtosecond-assisted LASIK group lost 2 lines of corrected distance visual acuity (P = .04), and 163 eyes (83%) in the transepithelial PRK and 167 eyes (85%) in the femtosecond-assisted LASIK group were within ±0.50 diopter (D) of emmetropia. The postoperative mean spherical equivalent was +0.11 D ± 0.56 (SD) for transepithelial PRK and -0.09 ± 0.46 D for femtosecond-assisted LASIK (P < .0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Transepithelial PRK outcomes 1 year postoperatively were equivalent to those of femtosecond-assisted LASIK. Transepithelial PRK was efficacious and safe; however, the procedure had a longer recovery time than the femtosecond-assisted LASIK.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

Mr. Ewering and Dr. Arba-Mosquera are employees of Schwind eye-tech-solutions GmbH and Co. KG. Dr. Luger has no financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

Visual performance after excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy for high myopia

PURPOSE:

To evaluate the efficacy, safety, predictability, and visual performance of excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) for myopia greater than −8 diopters (D).

METHODS:

Fifty-four patients (104 eyes) with myopia from −8D to −13D and cylinder up to −4D received surface ablation technique with the Allegretto wave version 1009-1 excimer laser to correct their refractive error. The patients were examined on days 1, 3, 7, and 14 and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Visual acuity, manifest refraction, corneal haze, topography, intraocular pressure, contrast sensitivity, and wavefront aberration were evaluated.

RESULTS:

Twelve months postoperatively, 95% of eyes were within 1D of the intended correction. In addition, 94% of eyes had attained uncorrected distance visual acuity of 20/25 or better, and 98% of eyes had improved or remained their corrected distance visual acuity. All eyes exhibited barely detectable corneal haze which peaked during the 1^st month with a gradual reduction in the 3^rd month. Ninety-five percent of patients had no or only mild degree of night glare.

CONCLUSIONS:

Excimer laser PRK is an effective and predictive treatment for high myopia greater than −8D with or without astigmatism up to −4D. The incidence of complication is low. All patients who are candidates for laser in situ keratomileusis can be candidates for surface ablation, especially those with preoperative thinner cornea or higher risk of corneal flap complications.

Comparison of Higher Order Aberrations after Wavefront-guided LASIK and PRK: One Year Follow-Up Results

PURPOSE

To evaluate the changes and predictability of higher order aberrations (HOAs) after personalized laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and personalized photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) for simple myopia and compound myopic astigmatism.

METHODS

In this prospective cross-sectional study, 100 eyes were included. A total of 50 eyes underwent personalized LASIK and 50 eyes underwent personalized PRK. Preoperative and postoperative wavefront data were compared between the two groups. The influential factors and predictability of HOAs were also assessed.

RESULT

Total HOA increased in the amount of 0.01 ± 0.14 μm for the 5 mm pupil (P = 0.55) and 0.08 ± 0.22 μm for the 6 mm pupil (P = 0.02) after PRK; however after LASIK the corresponding values for the 5 and 6 mm pupil sizes were 0.05 ± 0.12 and 0.15 ± 0.18 μm, respectively (P < 0. 001). Mean changes were not significantly different between the PRK and LASIK groups for both 5 and 6 mm pupil sizes (P = 0.21 and P = 0.13, respectively). Spherical aberration increased following LASIK more than following PRK (P < 0.001). Changes in the root mean square (RMS) of total HOA had a statistically significant negative correlation (P < 0.001) with its preoperative value. HOA and spherical aberration reduced in majority of eyes when the preoperative spherical equivalent refraction was low.

CONCLUSION

For the 6mm pupil size, the total HOA increased following both personalized PRK and LASIK with no significant difference between the two groups. Change of the total HOA RMS was influenced by the preoperative values. The known influencing factors could predict nearly 50% of the changes in total HOA.

Corneal Regeneration After Photorefractive Keratectomy: A Review

Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) remodels corneal stroma to compensate refractive errors. The removal of epithelium and the ablation of stroma provoke the disruption of corneal nerves and a release of several peptides from tears, epithelium, stroma and nerves. A myriad of cytokines, growth factors, and matrix metalloproteases participate in the process of corneal wound healing. Their balance will determine if reepithelization and stromal remodeling are appropriate. The final aim is to achieve corneal transparency for restoring corneal function, and a proper visual quality. Therefore, wound-healing response is critical for a successful refractive surgery. Our goal is to provide an overview into how corneal wounding develops following PRK. We will also review the influence of intraoperative application of mitomycin C, bandage contact lenses, anti-inflammatory and other drugs in preventing corneal haze and post-PRK pain.

Mitomycin-C in corneal surface excimer laser ablation techniques: a report by the American Academy of Ophthalmology

OBJECTIVE

To review the published literature assessing the efficacy and safety of mitomycin-C (MMC) as an adjunctive treatment in corneal surface excimer laser ablation procedures.

METHODS

Literature searches of the PubMed and Cochrane Library databases were last conducted on August 19, 2014, without language or date limitations. The searches retrieved a total of 239 references. Of these, members of the Ophthalmic Technology Assessment Committee Refractive Management/Intervention Panel selected 26 articles that were considered to be of high or medium clinical relevance, and the panel methodologist rated each article according to the strength of evidence. Ten studies were rated as level I evidence, 5 studies were rated as level II evidence, and the remaining 11 studies were rated as level III evidence.

RESULTS

The majority of the articles surveyed in this report support the role of MMC as an adjunctive treatment in surface ablation procedures. When MMC is applied in the appropriate concentration and confined to the central cornea, the incidence of post-surface ablation haze is decreased. Although a minority of studies that evaluated endothelial cell density (ECD) reported an MMC-related decrease in ECD, no clinical adverse outcomes were reported.

CONCLUSIONS

Over the past 15 years, the use of MMC during surgery in surface ablation has become widespread. There is good evidence of the effectiveness of MMC when used intraoperatively as prophylaxis against haze in higher myopic ablations. Although there are reports of decreased endothelial counts after the administration of MMC during surgery, the clinical significance of this finding remains uncertain, because no adverse outcomes were reported with as much as 5 years of follow-up. Optimal dosage, effectiveness as prophylaxis in lower myopic and hyperopic ablations, and long-term safety, particularly in eyes with reduced corneal endothelial cell counts from prior intraocular surgery, have yet to be established.

Indications for and outcomes of tertiary referrals in refractive surgery

PURPOSE

To review the spectrum of disease, symptomatology, and management offered to patients referred for a second opinion after refractive surgery.

METHODS

A prospective cohort study was done on all patients referred from October 1, 2006, to September 30, 2011, to a tertiary eye clinic after refractive surgery of any kind (ie, corneal laser surgery, conductive keratoplasty, radial keratotomy, phakic implants, refractive lens exchanges, or any combination thereof). Data analysis was performed on all demographic and clinical aspects of this cohort, including the initial complaint, type of referral, number of complaints, procedure previously performed, diagnosis at our center, type of advice given, and rate and type of surgical intervention.

RESULTS

One hundred thirty-one eyes (69 patients) were included. Corneal refractive surgery was performed in 82% (108 eyes), and 11% (14 eyes) were seen after phakic intraocular lens (PIOL) implantation and 7% (9 eyes) after refractive lens exchange. The most common diagnoses were tear film dysfunction (30 eyes, 23%), residual refractive error (25 eyes, 19%), and cataract (20 eyes, 15%). Most patients (42 patients, 61%) were treated conservatively. In 27 patients (39%), 36 eyes (28%) were managed surgically. Severe visual loss was seen in 1 eye.

CONCLUSIONS

No major problems were found in most second opinions after refractive surgery referral. Dry eyes, small residual refractive error, or higher-order aberrations were the most common complaints. Surgical intervention was needed in 36 eyes (28%), almost half of which were cataract extractions. Severe visual loss was seen in 1 eye with a PIOL. There was no incidence of severe visual loss in keratorefractive and refractive lens exchange procedures.

Laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) versus photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) for myopia

BACKGROUND

Myopia (also known as short-sightedness or near-sightedness) is an ocular condition in which the refractive power of the eye is greater than is required, resulting in light from distant objects being focused in front of the retina instead of directly on it. The two most commonly used surgical techniques to permanently correct myopia are photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK).

OBJECTIVES

To compare the effectiveness and safety of LASIK and PRK for correction of myopia by examining post-treatment uncorrected visual acuity, refractive outcome, loss of best spectacle-corrected visual acuity, pain scores, flap complications in LASIK, subepithelial haze, adverse events, quality of life indices and higher order aberrations.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched CENTRAL (which contains the Cochrane Eyes and Vision Group Trials Register) (The Cochrane Library 2012, Issue 11), Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid MEDLINE In-Process and Other Non-Indexed Citations, Ovid MEDLINE Daily, Ovid OLDMEDLINE (January 1946 to November 2012), EMBASE (January 1980 to November 2012), Latin American and Caribbean Literature on Health Sciences (LILACS) (January 1982 to November 2012), the metaRegister of Controlled Trials (mRCT) (www.controlled-trials.com), ClinicalTrials.gov (www.clinicaltrials.gov) and the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) (www.who.int/ictrp/search/en). We did not use any date or language restrictions in the electronic searches for trials. We last searched the electronic databases on 15 November 2012. We also searched the reference lists of the studies and the Science Citation Index.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomised controlled trials comparing LASIK and PRK for the correction of any degree of myopia.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two authors independently assessed trial quality and extracted data. We summarised data using the odds ratio and mean difference. We combined odds ratios using a random-effects model after testing for heterogeneity.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 13 trials (1135 participants, 1923 eyes) in this review. Nine of these trials randomised eyes to treatment, two trials randomised people to treatment and treated both eyes, and two trials randomised people to treatment and treated one eye. None of the paired trials reported an appropriate paired analysis. We considered the overall quality of evidence to be low for most outcomes because of the risk of bias in the included trials. There was evidence that LASIK gives a faster visual recovery than PRK and is a less painful technique. Results at one year after surgery were comparable: most analyses favoured LASIK but they were not statistically significant.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

LASIK gives a faster visual recovery and is a less painful technique than PRK. The two techniques appear to give similar outcomes one year after surgery. Further trials using contemporary techniques are required to determine whether LASIK and PRK as currently practised are equally safe. Randomising eyes to treatment is an efficient design, but only if analysed properly. In future trials, more efforts could be made to mask the assessment of outcome.

Wavefront-guided and aspheric ablation for myopia -- one-year results of the zyoptix personalized treatment advanced algorithm

PURPOSE

To evaluate the visual outcome and change in higher-order aberrations (HOAs) 1 year post simultaneous wavefront-guided and aspheric photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).

DESIGN

Prospective interventional case series.

METHODS

Consecutive myopic patients undergoing PRK (38 eyes of 23 patients) and LASIK (42 eyes of 25 patients) using the Technolas 217z100 excimer laser (Technolas Perfect Vision) in a private laser clinic were included. Main outcome measures were uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), manifest refraction (MRSE), HOAs, and spherical aberration (Z(4)(0)).

RESULTS

At 1 year, 87% (32/37) of PRK eyes and 81% (30/37) of LASIK eyes had UDVA of 20/20 or better (P = .75). Mean ± SD MRSE was -0.26 ± 0.31 diopters (D) in the PRK and -0.16 ± 0.34 D in the LASIK group (P = .222). There was no significant increase in total HOA root mean square (RMS) in the PRK group. Mean ± SD total HOA RMS increased from 0.402 ± 0.14 μm to 0.496 ± 0.17 μm (P = .013) in the LASIK group at 1 year. Z(4)(0) increased from mean ± SD -0.045 ± 0.12 μm to -0.109 ± 0.15 μm (P = .006, factor 2.42) in the PRK group and did not significantly increase in the LASIK group (mean ± SD -0.16 ± 0.17 μm to -0.17 ± 0.15 μm (P = .469, factor 1.08) at 6 mm pupil.

CONCLUSIONS

Visual outcome was excellent in both treatment groups. HOAs were still increased following LASIK by a factor of 1.23 but not PRK. Z(4)(0) was not induced by LASIK with the treatment algorithm but was negatively induced in PRK eyes.

Anterior corneal optical irregularity measured by higher-order aberrations induced by a broad beam excimer laser

BACKGROUND

The aim was to analyse anterior corneal optical irregularity in patients receiving photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) with a conventional broad beam laser.

METHODS

Pre- and post-operative anterior corneal aberrations including Zernike coefficients and root mean squares of higher-order aberrations were measured and derived with a Placido-ring-based corneal topographer and wavefront software, respectively, from 768 right eyes of patients receiving either PRK or LASIK for myopia with a conventional broad beam excimer laser in National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. Multiple linear regression models selected by Mallows' Cp criteria were used to evaluate predictability of surgically induced aberrations and relevant factors.

RESULTS

Mean attempted spherical equivalent correction was -7.37 ± 2.33 D (range: -16.5 to -1.95). Root mean squares of higher-order aberrations and variances of Zernike coefficients all increased significantly after surgery (p < 0.01). All post-operative higher-order aberrations increased with the amount of attempted myopic correction and secondary astigmatism increased with attempted cylindrical correction. LASIK surgery induced less coma and third-order aberrations but more fifth- and sixth-order aberrations than PRK, although squared partial correlation coefficients were low. Larger optic and transitional zones meant fewer higher-order aberrations after surgery. Younger patients tended to have more surgically induced aberrations in the 3.0 mm pupil zone.

CONCLUSIONS

Anterior corneal optical irregularity increased tremendously after refractive surgery by conventional broad beam lasers and correlated with greater attempted myopic correction, younger age and a smaller treatment zone. The effect of corneal flaps on post-operative corneal irregularity differed trivially.

Mitomycin C-assisted photorefractive keratectomy in high myopia: a long-term safety study

PURPOSE

To evaluate the long-term corneal safety of topical mitomycin C (MMC) used during photorefractive keratectomy to prevent haze formation in highly myopic eyes.

METHODS

Twenty-eight patients with bilateral high myopia underwent photorefractive keratectomy. One eye was randomly assigned to intraoperative 0.02% MMC and the fellow eye to conventional treatment. Each eye was checked at baseline and at 5 years after surgery using in vivo corneal confocal microscopy.

RESULTS

At baseline, the endothelial cell density was 2970 ± 295 cells per square millimeter in the MMC-treated eyes and 2839 ± 323 cells per square millimeter in the control eyes. At 5 years, it was 2803 ± 307 and 2780 ± 264 cells per square millimeter, respectively (P = 0.27). The number of corneal nerve fibers was 3.9 ± 1.6 in the MMC-treated eyes and 4.4 ± 1.3 in the control eyes. At 5 years, it was 3.0 ± 1.6 and 2.7 ± 1.3, respectively (P = 0.15). The density of corneal nerves was 9600 ± 2915 μm/mm(2) in the MMC-treated eyes and 11,352 ± 3898 μm/mm(2) in the control eyes. At 5 years, the density was higher in the MMC-treated eyes (6790 ± 2447 μm/mm(2)) than in the control eyes (6024 ± 2977 μm/mm(2)) (P = 0.003). The number of nerve beadings at baseline was 12.9 ± 1.7/100 μm in the MMC-treated eyes and 12.3 ± 2.0/100 μm in the control eyes. At 5 years, it was 9.9 ± 2.6/100 and 9.4 ± 2.9/100 μm, respectively (P = 1.00). At 5 years, corneal nerve branching and tortuosity were similar in the 2 groups (P = 0.88 and 0.54, respectively). Epithelium thickness remained statistically unchanged (P = 0.69).

CONCLUSIONS

Intraoperative use of topical 0.02% MMC compared with standard treatment does not induce significant long-term corneal changes, as assessed by in vivo corneal confocal microscopy.

Corneal endothelium after refractive surgery

The endothelium is vital to the health and optical clarity of the human cornea. The safety of procedures to correct refractive errors depends on preservation of an intact corneal endothelium. Disease states and genetic and environmental factors affect the corneal endothelium; an unstable corneal endothelium can impact the success of refractive surgery. Technological advances and recent laboratory findings have improved the ability to assess the endothelium. The status of the corneal endothelium after laser in situ keratomileusis, photorefractive keratectomy, phakic intraocular lenses, and adjuvants to these treatments has been the topic of numerous clinical trials. Safety guidelines for refractive surgery procedures should be followed to minimize deleterious effects on the corneal endothelium.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

Neither author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

Efficacy of surface ablation retreatments using mitomycin C

PURPOSE

To evaluate the visual and refractive results and the incidence of complications after laser subepithelial keratectomy (LASEK) enhancement using mitomycin C (MMC) after a previous LASEK procedure with MMC.

DESIGN

Retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series.

METHODS

Setting was Vissum Santa Hortensia, Madrid, Spain. We performed a retrospective study of LASEK-treated eyes that received intraoperative MMC for 30 seconds and that needed an enhancement procedure. LASEK retreatment with MMC 0.02%, applied for 60 seconds, was performed 3 to 6 months after the initial surgery. We measured the visual and refractive results 3 months after the enhancement and the incidence of complications.

RESULTS

Eighty-two eyes were included in the study. The preoperative data were best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) 1.08 +/- 0.19, sphere -4.68 +/- 2.8 diopters (D), and cylinder -1.30 +/- 1.20 D. Three to 6 months postoperatively, before enhancement, the uncorrected VA (UCVA) was 0.59 +/- 0.2; the BSCVA, 0.976 +/- 0.2; the residual sphere, +0.17 +/- 0.7 D, and the cylinder, -0.39 +/- 0.5 D. Three months after retreatment, the UCVA was 0.93 +/- 0.1; the BSCVA, 0.977 +/- 0.1; the residual sphere, 0.09 +/- 0.3 D; and the residual cylinder, -0.2 +/- 0.3 D. The safety index after retreatment was 1.01 +/- 0.1, and the efficacy index was 0.96 +/- 0.1. No haze, no delay in epithelial healing, and no case of endothelial decompensation were detected.

CONCLUSION

Surface ablation retreatment using MMC seems to be effective to correct residual refractive errors after an initial surgery with MMC.

One-year outcomes of a bilateral randomised prospective clinical trial comparing PRK with mitomycin C and LASIK

AIM

To compare 1-year follow-up results of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) with mitomycin C (MMC) and laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for custom correction of myopia.

METHODS

Eighty-eight eyes of 44 patients with moderate myopia were randomised to PRK with 0.002% MMC for 1 min in one eye and LASIK in the fellow eye. The 1-year follow-up was evaluated.

RESULTS

There were no differences between LASIK and MMC-PRK eyes preoperatively. Forty-two patients completed the 1-year follow-up. MMC-PRK eyes achieved better uncorrected visual acuity (p = 0.03) and better best-spectacle-corrected visual acuity (p<0.001) 1 year after surgery. SE did not differ in the two groups during follow-up (p = 0.12). Clinically significant haze was not found in surface ablation eyes. LASIK eyes showed a greater higher-order aberration (p = 0.01) and lower contrast sensitivity (p<0.05) than MMC-PRK eyes postoperatively. Excellent vision was reported in 64% of LASIK and 74% of MMC-PRK eyes 1 year after surgery. The corneal resistance factor and corneal hysteresis (ORA, Reichert) were higher in LASIK than in MMC-PRK eyes (p<0.01) at the last follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Wavefront-guided PRK with 0.002% MMC was more effective than wavefront-guided LASIK for correction of moderate myopia. Further research is necessary to determine the optimal concentration, exposure time and long-term corneal side effect of MMC.

Mitomycin C in corneal refractive surgery

Mitomycin C has played a deciding role in the current revival of excimer laser surface ablation techniques. We review the literature regarding mechanism of action of mitomycin C, histological effects on the cornea, and indications, dose, exposure time, and toxicity of mitomycin C in corneal refractive surgery. Mitomycin C is an alkylating agent with cytotoxic and antiproliferative effects that reduces the myofibroblast repopulation after laser surface ablation and, therefore, reduces the risk of postoperative corneal haze. It is used prophylactically to avoid haze after primary surface ablation and therapeutically to treat pre-existing haze. There is no definite evidence that establishes an exact diopter limit or ablation depth at which to apply prophylactic mitomycin C. It is usually applied at a concentration of 0.2mg/ml (0.02%) for 12 to 120 seconds over the ablated stroma, although some studies suggest that lower concentrations (0.01%, 0.002%) could also be effective in preventing haze when treating low to moderate myopia. This dose of mitomycin C has not been associated with any clinically relevant epithelial corneal toxicity. Its effect on the endothelium is more controversial: two studies report a decrease in endothelial cell density, but the majority of reports suggest that the endothelium is not altered. Regarding mitomycin C's effect on keratocyte population, although animal studies report keratocyte depletion after its use, longer follow-up suggested that the initial keratocyte depletion does not persist over time.