Photorefractive keratectomy in high myopic defects with or without intraoperative mitomycin C: 1-year results.

PURPOSE: To study the results of the prophylactic use of mitomycin C (MMC) to reduce haze formation and refractive regression after excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) for high myopic defects (>5 diopters). METHODS: Prospective, consecutive, observational study. A total of 124 eyes of 62 patients were divided into two groups of 31 patients, 62 eyes each (Groups A and B). Only Group A was treated with MMC 0.02%. The data of the two groups of eyes, related to the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), to the difference of refraction pre- and post-treatment, and to the corneal haze, were analyzed through combined permutation tests by using the NPC Test software . RESULTS: BCVA of Group A, 1 year after treatment, was better than that of the control Group B (one-sided p value = 0.013): Group A - 3 eyes (4.8%) had a loss of a decimal fraction and no eyes > 1; Group B - 13 eyes (20.9%) had a loss of a decimal fraction and 1 eye (1.6%) of 2. There was a smaller difference between attempted and achieved SE correction in Group A with respect to Group B (one-sided p value = 0.068): Group A - 43 eyes (69.3%) within +/- 0.50 D; Group B - 31 eyes (50%) within +/- 0.50 D. there was a smaller incidence of corneal haze in the group for which MMC was used (one-sided p value = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the application of MMC 0.02% solution immediately after PRK produced lower haze rates and had better predictability and improved efficacy 1 year after treatment.

Involutional entropion surgery: a modified technique.

PURPOSE: A study to evaluate the effectiveness of a modified procedure to correct involutional entropion. METHODS: Seventeen cases of involutional entropion underwent surgery and had a postoperative follow-up of 18 months. The authors describe a technique of vertically shortening the anterior lamella (skin and orbicularis muscle), using a blepharoplasty incision and reflection of a skin muscle flap. RESULTS: In 16 of 17 eyelids affected by involutional entropion, this operative procedure showed good functional outcome (good correction of the relation between lower eyelid edge and eyeball) and aesthetic outcome (no hypertrophic scar, dyschromia or unnatural folding of the skin). CONCLUSIONS: A correct approach to entropion surgery needs an accurate preoperative evaluation of the individual physiopathogenic factors. This procedure gives lasting functional and pleasing cosmetic results when preseptal orbicularis muscle override has been identified as the cause of senile entropion.