Effect of Mitomycin‐C on the conjunctival goblet cell density after lasik

Abstract

Abstract Purpose: To study the effect of mitomycin‐C (MMC) on the conjunctival epithelium after LASIK ablation. Methods: This preliminary study comprised 18 patients scheduled for LASIK to correct myopia. The patients were divided into 2 groups of 9 patients each. In Group 1, the flap was performed with a mechanical microkeratome (M2, Moria), wereas in Group 2 a femtosecond laser (IntraLase) was used. For each patient topical MMC 0.02% was applied on the right eye with a Merocell sponge for 60 seconds, over the bulbar superior conjunctiva covering an area of 64 mm2 before the surgery. Conjunctival goblet cell density was studied by impression cytology pre‐operatively, and at one, two and three months after surgery. Results: Analysis by impression cytology of the ocular surface showed that preoperative goblet cell density was not significantly different between the eyes with and without MMC (G1: P=0.81 and G2: P=0.50).1 month after LASIK surgery there was a significant decrease in the goblet cell density in both groups (G1: P<0.008 and G2: P<0.022). However, there were no statistically significant differences in the goblet cell density between the right and left eye, at any time after the surgery, in any of the two groups (G1: P>0.62 and G2: P>0.08). Conclusions: Topical MMC 0.02% for 60 seconds over the bulbar conjunctiva before the LASIK surgery does not seem to affect the conjunctival goblet cell density in this preliminary study.