The Use of Ascorbic Acid after Excimer Laser Photo refractive Keratectomy in Rabbits.

Kang, Gu Min; Wee, Won Ryang

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society 1996;37(10):1620-1625.
Published online October 1, 1996.

The Use of Ascorbic Acid after Excimer Laser Photo refractive Keratectomy in Rabbits.

Gu Min Kang, Won Ryang Wee

Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medince, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.

토끼의 엑시머레이저 굴절교정각막절제술에서 아스코르빈산의 사용

강구민(Gu Min Kang),위원량(Won Ryang Wee)

Abstract

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes(PMNs) infiltrate to the wound site within a few hours after excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy(PRK). Oxygen free radicals produced by the PMNs may be injurious to the surrounding corneal tissues and also acts as an inflammatory mediator that deepen tissue damage. In this study we examined that the application of ascorbic acid would decrease corneal haze following excimer laser PRK. Excimer laser PRK was done in 9 rabbits (18 eyes). Ascorbic acid was injected subconjunctivally in one eye and BSS was injected in the opposite eye. The corneal epithelium re-surfaced by 2.6 +/- 0.5 days in the ascorbic acid treated group and by 2.7 +/- 0.7 days in the ESS injected group. Corneal hazes examined in postop 2wk, 4 wk, 6 wk, and 8 wk were 1.6 +/- 0.5, 1.4 +/- 0.5, 0.7 +/- 0.3, 0.5 +/- 0.2 in the ascorbic acid treated group and 2.1 +/- 0.6, 1.7 +/- 0.5, 1.1 +/- 0.3, 0.9 +/- 0.2 in the BSS injected group, respectively. These data suggest that ascorbic acid would decrease corneal haze after excimer laser PRK without significant complications.

Key Words: Excimer laser;Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK);Corneal haze;Ascorbic acid