Change of Epithelial Barrier Function after Excimer Laser Photorefractive Keratectomy.

Kim, Ji Young; Heo, Jun Ho; Wee, Won Ryang

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society 1998;39(6):1119-1124.
Published online June 1, 1998.

Change of Epithelial Barrier Function after Excimer Laser Photorefractive Keratectomy.

¹Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul Municipal Borarnae Hospital.
²Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University College of Medicine.

액시머레이저 굴절교정각막절제술 후 각막상피 장벽기능의 변화

김지영(Ji Young Kim),허준호(Jun Ho Heo),위원량(Won Ryang Wee)

Abstract

We used the fluorophotometry to investigate the corneal epithelial barrier function after excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). Twenty-five eyes of 21 subjects (13 women, 8 men) underwent PRK to correct rnyopia. Corneal epithelial healing time was measured and corneal epithelial permeability to sodiurn fluorescein was evaluated by fluorophotoinetry at I, 2, and 3 weeks after surgery. The corneal epithelial permeability increased significantly 1 week after surgery and returned to preoperative level 2 weeks after surgery. The permeability differences according to epithelial healing days and corrected diopters were not statistically significant(p>0. 05). These results suggest that PRK delays complete reconstruction of corneal epithelial barrier function. The corneal epithelium regained its functional barrier 2 weeks after PRK in patients, so, at least, during the first 2 weeks, care should be taken to miniinize further epithelial trauma from topical inedication or surgical manipulation.

Key Words: Epithelial barrier function;Excimer laser PRK;Fluorophotometry