[Effect of mitomycin C on corneal regrowth after laser-assisted sub-epithelial keratectomy (LASEK)].

PURPOSE: To study the effect of mitomycin C (MMC) on the corneal regrowth after laser-assisted sub-epithelial keratectomy (LASEK).

METHODS: We performed a prospective, controlled, observer-masked study of 64 consecutive eyes scheduled to undergo LASEK to correct their myopia. The patients were divided into two age-matched groups, with group 1 including 32 eyes in which the ablation depth was ≤ 50 μm and received no MMC. Group 2 consisted of 32 eyes in which the ablation depth exceeded 50 μm and were treated with intra-operative 0.02% MMC for 30 seconds over the ablated zone. A masked observer measured the central corneal thickness (CCT) 1 and 3 months after surgery. We compared the change in CCT between both groups up to 3 months after surgery.

RESULTS: The mean patient age was 31.5 years (SD 4.6) and 31.6 (SD 8.7) years in groups 1 and 2, respectively (P=.9). Group 1 showed a mean CCT of 444.0 (SD 41.3) μm one month after surgery and 450.3 (SD 43.5) μm three months after surgery (P=.04). CCT in group 2 was 399.7 (SD 31.2) μm and 407.9 (SD 32.6) μm one and three months after surgery, respectively (P=.006). The difference in the CCT increases between both groups was not statistically significant (P=.6).

CONCLUSIONS: A single intraoperative application of 0.02% MMC for 30 seconds did not seem to cause a substantial change in the post-surgical corneal thickening expected after LASEK.