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Evaluation of the Effect of Artificial Tears on Corneal Epithelial Thickness Changes After Photorefractive Keratectomy Publisher Pubmed



Khodaparast M1, 7 ; Ahmadzadeh H1, 7 ; Khorraminejad M1, 7 ; Mohammadzadeh M1, 7 ; Azizi S1, 7 ; Mohammadi SF1, 7 ; Hashemian H1, 7
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Translational Ophthalmology Research Center, Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  2. 2. Rio de Janeiro Corneal Tomography and Biomechanics Study Group, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
  3. 3. Instituto de Olhos Renato Ambrosio, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
  4. 4. Department of Ophthalmology, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
  5. 5. Brazilian Study Group of Artificial Intelligence and Corneal Analysis ‑ BrAIN, Maceio, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
  6. 6. Department of Ophthalmology, Federal University the State of Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
  7. 7. Translational Ophthalmology Research Center, Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Source: Indian Journal of Ophthalmology Published:2024


Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the corneal epithelial thickness changes after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and the impact of long‑term artificial tear usage on epithelial thickness changes in these patients. Methods: This study was performed on 71 patients (142 eyes) without dry eye disease who received PRK for myopic refractive correction. The corneal epithelial thickness profile was obtained before, one, three, and six months after surgery using anterior segment optical coherence tomography. Patients were randomly divided into two groups: group A, who received preservative‑free artificial tears post‑surgery, and group B, who did not receive artificial tears. Results: The epithelial thickness decreased universally in the first month and then increased in the 3‑ and 6‑month follow‑ups. Group A had a significantly thicker epithelium in central, paracentral, and midperipheral zones compared with group B in the 3‑month follow‑up. In the 6‑month follow‑up, no significant differences were detected between groups. At the last follow‑up, the central, paracentral, and midperipheral zone epithelial thicknesses in all patients were significantly higher than preoperative values, but peripheral zone thickness only increased to preoperative values. Conclusions: Patients using artificial tears showed a faster thickening, especially in the central and paracentral zones, but there were no significant differences between the two groups in the final follow‑up. Artificial tear usage may increase the rate of the epithelial remodeling process in post‑PRK patients without significantly altering the final epithelial thickness profile. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the influence of different factors on epithelial remodeling. © 2023 Indian Journal of Ophthalmology.
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