Effects of mitomycin-C on tear film, corneal biomechanics, and surface irregularity in mild to moderate myopic surface ablation: preliminary results.

Purpose: To assess the effect of mitomycin-C (MMC) on the tear film, corneal biomechanics, and surface irregularity in surface ablation (photorefractive keratectomy [PRK]) for low to moderate myopia.

Setting: Refractive Surgery Unit, Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran, Iran.

Design: Double-masked randomized clinical trial.

Methods: In patients with spherical equivalent myopia of -0.75 to -3.87 diopters (D) and astigmatism up to -1.75 D, the first eye was randomly assigned to the application of MMC 0.02% or a balanced salt solution for 15 seconds. The fellow eye received the alternate in a masked fashion after excimer photoablation.

Results: The study enrolled 60 patients. In fellow eyes, the changes in the tear-film index were comparable 1 month and 6 months postoperatively. There was no significant difference in changes in total higher-order aberrations, spherical aberration, coma, or Q values (Pentacam HR) between fellow eyes at 1 month and 6 months. There was a trend toward a higher asymmetry index at 1 month; however, a statistically significant drop was observed at 6 months in the MMC group (P<.01). It was hypothesized that stromal remodeling was delayed, but better, in MMC-treated eyes. No haze was recorded at 6 months in either group.

Conclusion: Use of MMC in PRK did not appear to contribute significantly to surface irregularity, transient tear-film dysfunction, or biomechanical weakening of the cornea compared with PRK without MMC.

Financial Disclosure: No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.