Change of Epithelial Barrier Function after Excimer Laser Photorefractive Keratectomy.
- Author:
Ji Young KIM
1
;
Jun Ho HEO
;
Won Ryang WEE
Author Information
1. Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul Municipal Borarnae Hospital.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Epithelial barrier function;
Excimer laser PRK;
Fluorophotometry
- MeSH:
Epithelium, Corneal;
Female;
Fluorescein;
Fluorophotometry;
Humans;
Lasers, Excimer*;
Permeability;
Photorefractive Keratectomy*
- From:Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society
1998;39(6):1119-1124
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
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.
