TOPICAL MITOMYCIN-C FOR THE TREATMENT OF CONJUNCTIVAL AND CORNEAL EPITHELIAL DYSPLASIA AND NEOPLASIA

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of topical mitomycin C in treating c onjunctival and corneal epithelial dysplasia and neoplasia. METHODS: S even eyes of seven patients with conjunctival and corneal epithelial d ysplasia and neoplasia were treated with one drop of topical mitomycin C 0.04% four times a day for 7 days in alternate weeks. The patients' charts were reviewed retrospectively. Patients with either multiple r ecurrences or extensive ocular surface involvement were treated. In al l eyes, the diagnosis of epithelial dysplasia or neoplasia was confirm ed by histopathology before the onset of therapy. Patients were examin ed at least every 14 days during treatment and examined at intervals a fter completion of treatment. RESULTS: With topical mitomycin C, six e yes of seven patients had complete clinical regression of their conjun ctival and corneal epithelial dysplasia and neoplasia. One eye of one patient had partial clinical regression of conjunctival and corneal ep ithelial dysplasia. Follow-up after completion of topical mitomycin C therapy and excision of residual disease ranged from 2 to 16 months (m ean, 9 months; SD, 4.3 months) and was without clinical sign of recurr ence. Topical mitomycin C therapy was associated with transitory ocula r discomfort, conjunctival injection, tearing, photophobia, and puncta te epithelial keratopathy. CONCLUSION: In this small series of eyes, t opical mitomycin C was effective as a treatment for conjunctival and c orneal epithelial dysplasia and neoplasia.