Effect of anti-inflammatory agents on corneal wound-healing process after surface excimer laser keratectomy

Purpose: To investigate the effect of anti-inflammatory agents on conjuncti val inflammation and corneal haze formation after excimer laser keratectomy . Setting: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Tokyo Faculty of Medici ne, Tokyo, Japan. Methods: After excimer laser keratectomy was performed in 21 rabbits (42 ey es), saline, betamethasone 0.1%, or diclofenac 0.1% was topically applied 6 times a day for weeks and then 3 times a day for 8 weeks. The degree of co njunctival inflammation was determined 1, 2, 3, and 7 days after the kerate ctomy. The degree of corneal haze was quantitatively measured using a digit al analyzer before and once a week after the keratectomy. The expression of type IV collagen in the corneas at baseline and 4 and 2 weeks after the ke ratectomy was examined immunohistochemically. Results: Compared with saline, betamethasone and diclofenac significantly d ecreased early-phase conjunctival inflammation. Betamethasone significantly inhibited corneal haze formation compared with saline at 3 to 5 and 8 to 1 2 weeks. Diclofenac did not inhibit corneal haze formation significantly. A lthough betamethasone tended to be more effective in inhibiting corneal haz e formation and deposition of type IV collagen than diclofenac, there was n o statistical difference between the 2 anti-inflammatory agents. Conclusion: Topically applied betamethasone effectively suppressed corneal haze formation after excimer laser keratectomy. Diclofenac was not statisti cally effective in inhibiting corneal haze formation. J Cataract Refract Su rg 2000; 26:426-431 (C) 2000 ASCRS and ESCRS.