Phototherapeutic keratectomy with mitomycin C for corneal haze following photorefractive keratectomy for myopia

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) with single application of mitomycin C for patients with severe corneal haze following photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) for high myopia. METHODS: Eight eyes of seven patients were treated with PTK and intraoperative topical application of mitomycin C (0.02%) for severe corneal haze (grade 3) following PRK for myopia. RESULTS: All patients' visual performance improved significantly. Mean preoperative visual acuity (20/200 for both UCVA and BSCVA) improved significantly to 20/33 (0.6) and 20/30 (0.7) for UCVA and BSCVA, respectively. Six eyes (85.7%) had improved UCVA to 20/40 or better and gained five or more lines of UCVA. The corneal haze score decreased from grade 3 initially (for all eyes prior to PTK and mitomycin C) to a final mean haze score of 0.3 (range 0 to 0.5). Mean final spherical equivalent refraction achieved was -1.30 +/- 1.60 D (range -3.75 to +1.25 D). One eye gained only three lines of visual acuity due to regression and residual haze. No adverse effects related to the use of mitomycin C were recorded. CONCLUSION: PTK with a single intraoperative application of mitomycin C was safe and effective in reducing corneal haze and improving visual acuity in patients with severe corneal haze following PRK.