The Therapeutic Effect of Topically Applied 1% Sodium Hyaluronic Acid(Na-HA) on Corneal Alkali Burn

ABSTRACT

The effects of topically applied 1% Na-HA on corneal epithelial healing and visual outcomes were evaluated in 15 eyes of 12 corneal alkali-burned patients. 1 % Na-HA (Healon, Pharmacia, Sweden) together with antibiotics(Tarivid eye oint, Japan) in the treatment group and antibiotics ointment alone in the control group were given four times a day for the first one week and then antibiotics were used in both groups. For the assessment of the initial epitheilal healing, the eyes were examined at about 8 to 12 hours intervals during the first week. Individual epithelial healing rates were calculated by a linear regresion analysis from the epithelial defect areas. The best corrected visual acuity was compared between two groups. Initial epithelial healing rates were 0.81+/-0.53(mm2/hour) in the 1% Na-HA treated group and 0.40+/-0.21(mm2/hour) in the control group, respectively. A progressive improvement of visual acuity was observed in the 1% Na-HA treated group, while no change of vision was found in the control group. This clinical study suggests that topical application of 1 % Na-HA in combination with topical antibiotics could be considered for the management of corneal alkali wound.