Effect of Topical 10% Citrate on Corneal Haze after Excimer Laser Photore fractive Keratectomy in Rabbit

ABSTRACT

It has been known that 10% citrate solution decreases the infiltration of inflammatory cells in severe alkali-burned rabbit eye. The solution was administered topically and its effects on corneal haze and inflammatory cell infiltration were evaluated. Excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) was performed on 10 rabbits (20eyes). The solution was administered on the right eye (treated group)and BSS solution on the left eye (control group) of each rabbit immediately before PRK and 6 times after PRK for 24 hours. After 24 hours, 5 rabbits were sacrificed and infiltrating inflammatory cell counting, malondialdehyde (MDA) immunohistochemical staining and quantitative measurement of MDA were done. Corneal haze and other complications were examined at 2, 4 and 8 weeks after PRK with slit-lamp biomicroscope. There was significant decrease of infiltrating inflammatory cells (p=0.047) and cornea haze at 4 weeks after PRK (p=0.015) in treated group. MDA immunohistochemical staining disclosed that tissue damage occurred primarily on the superficial stroma and partially healed epithelium of the ablated cornea. MDA level decreased in 10% citrate treated group compared to control group but the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.21). These data suggest that topical administration of 10% citrate may decrease corneal haze by decreasing infiltration of inflammatory cells after PRK.