The Use of MMC During PRK and Its Effect on Postoperative Topical Steroid Requirements

1. Purpose To evaluate the use of mitomycin-C (MMC) as an intraoperative adjunct during photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), its effect on postoperative healing and its ability to reduce the postoperative topical steroid course after the surgery.
2. Research Design This is a single-center, prospective, comparative cohort study.
3. Hypothesis There will not be a significant difference in the refractive corrections amongst the treatment groups, 12 months after surgery.
4. Objectives The primary study objective is to compare the effect of intraoperative MMC and a postoperative short topical steroid taper of 3 weeks, intraoperative MMC and a rapid topical steroid taper of 1 week, and a more commonly accepted postoperative regimen of a 2 month long topical steroid taper without any intraoperative MMC. The primary endpoint evaluated will be objective estimates of refractive error (WaveScan WaveFront™ System) at 12 months post-surgery. Secondarily, the extent of haze formation will be evaluated objectively using densitometry maps generated by automated Scheimpflug imaging of the cornea (Pentacam®). Furthermore, the subjective vision from the patients' perspective will be evaluated by questionnaires.

1. Purpose To evaluate the use of mitomycin-C (MMC) as an intraoperative adjunct during photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), its effect on postoperative healing and its ability to reduce the postoperative topical steroid course after the surgery.
2. Research Design This is a single-center, prospective, comparative cohort study.
3. Hypothesis There will not be a significant difference in the refractive corrections amongst the treatment groups, 12 months after surgery.
4. Objectives The primary study objective is to compare the effect of intraoperative MMC and a postoperative short topical steroid taper of 3 weeks, intraoperative MMC and a rapid topical steroid taper of 1 week, and a more commonly accepted postoperative regimen of a 2 month long topical steroid taper without any intraoperative MMC. The primary endpoint evaluated will be objective estimates of refractive error (WaveScan WaveFront™ System) at 12 months post-surgery. Secondarily, the extent of haze formation will be evaluated objectively using densitometry maps generated by automated Scheimpflug imaging of the cornea (Pentacam®). Furthermore, the subjective vision from the patients' perspective will be evaluated by questionnaire.
5. Methodology At the Navy Refractive Surgery Center San Diego (NRSC SD), a total of 300 patients will be enrolled and randomly assigned to three cohorts. PRK will be performed in a standard fashion for all treatment groups. In the first two groups, intraoperative MMC 0.01% for a contact time of 15 seconds will be utilized. During the postoperative period, the first cohort will use the short steroid taper and the second cohort will use the rapid steroid taper. The third cohort will not receive any intraoperative MMC and will self-administer postoperative steroids, tapering for two months. All cohorts will be followed at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months after the procedure. Standard clinical measures of visual performance will be recorded. Since visually significant corneal haze is relatively rare, corneal densitometry will be used as an objective measure to detect subclinical corneal haze in addition to our usual subjective haze evaluation done by the clinical optometrists.

The patients will complete a voluntary questionnaire that evaluates their subjective impression of the refractive surgery, their recovery and their outcomes. Specifically, the patient will report the use of refractive correction, usefulness of the surgery at work, dry eye complaints, and subjective appraisal of their vision.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Active duty male or female, of any race, and at least 21 years old at the time of the pre-operative examination, and have signed an informed consent. The lower age limit of 21 is intended to ensure documentation of refractive stability.
2. Manifest spherical equivalent (MSE) from +3.00 D to -11.0D with refractive cylinder of up to 3.00 D.
3. Best spectacle corrected visual acuity of 20/25 or better in both eyes.
4. Stable spectacle refraction, confirmed by clinical records. Neither the spherical nor the cylindrical portion of the refraction may have changed more than 0.50 D during the six-month period immediately preceding the baseline examination for myopic patients and 0.75 for hyperopic patients.
5. Contact lens use: Soft contact lenses must have been removed at least two (2) weeks prior to baseline measurements. Hard contact lens users (PMMA or rigid gas permeable lenses) must have removed their lenses at least four (4) weeks prior to baseline measurements.
6. Strong motivation for attending the follow-up visits and orders to remain in the area for the duration of at least twelve months of follow up.
7. Consent of the subject's command to participate in the study.
8. Access to transportation to meet follow up requirements.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Aviators.
2. Female subjects who are pregnant, breast-feeding, or intend to become pregnant during the course of the study.
3. Concurrent topical or systemic medications which may impair healing, including corticosteroids, antimetabolites, isotretinoin, (Accutane™), amiodarone hydrochloride (Cordarone™), and/or sumatriptan (Imitrex™).
4. Medical conditions which, in the judgment of the investigator, may impair healing, including but not limited to thyroid disorders and diabetes.
5. Active ophthalmic disease, neovascularization of the cornea within 1 mm of the intended ablation zone, or lens opacity.
6. Evidence of glaucoma or an intraocular pressure greater than 22 mm Hg at baseline.
7. Evidence of keratoconus, corneal irregularity, or abnormal videokeratography in either eye.
8. Patients with known sensitivity or inappropriate responsiveness to any of the medications used in the post-operative course.
9. Any physical or mental impairment which would preclude participation in any of the examinations, such as inability to give verbal responses to eye charts.