[Local treatment by epidermal growth factor after epikeratoplasty. A double-blind clinical trial].

: Epidermal growth factor is a protein which stimulates epithelial cell growth. We conducted a randomized double blind study between patients treated with PHZ102 (Inpharzam SA, Cadempino, Switzerland) containing EGF, and placebo eyedrops as topical treatment following epikeratoplasty, to evaluate the effect of EGF on corneal reepithelialization. The patients of the EGF group recovered earlier (1 to 4 days) than the patients in the placebo group (3 to 15 days). Therefore, the results obtained confirmed that EGF may reduce the time normally required for complete reepithelialization of the cornea.