Posters

The effect of ethanol on corneal endothelial cells in photorefractive keratectomy

Poster Details

First Author: H.Movahedan IRAN

Co Author(s):    H. Movahedan   M. Nowroozzadeh           

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To evaluate the possible toxic effect of 20% ethanol-assisted corneal epithelial removal on corneal endothelial cells.

Setting:

Poostchi Ophthalmology Research Center, Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

Methods:

In this prospective controlled trial, 60 eyes of 30 healthy refractive surgery candidates were enrolled. Right eyes of each patient underwent 20% ethanol-assisted (12-20 seconds) corneal epithelial removal (study group), and left eyes of same patients were regarded as controls, in which epithelial removal were performed using hocky spatula. Photorefractive keratectomy was performed using Technolas 217 series excimer laser followed by mitomycin C application in both eyes. Corneal endothelial cells were evaluated using noncontact specular microscope before operation, and 2 weeks and 3 months after surgery.

Results:

Mean (±SD) endothelial cell density of the right vs. left eyes was 2790±245 vs. 2739±246 at preoperative period (P=0.419), 2732±213 vs. 2727±222 at 2 weeks (P=0.918), and 2761±187 vs. 2694±228 (P=0.223) at 3 months after operation. Coefficient of variation, hexagonality, and central corneal thickness were also not different between groups (P>0.05 for each time-point).

Conclusions:

20% ethanol-assisted corneal epithelial removal up to 20 seconds caused no corneal endothelial damage at short and intermediate postoperative period. FINANCIAL INTEREST: NONE