Presence of mitomycin-C in the anterior chamber after photorefractive keratectomy.

PURPOSE

To assess the presence of mitomycin-C (MMC) in hen aqueous humor after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).

SETTING

Instituto Universitario de Oftalmobiología Aplicada, Faculty of Medicine, University of Valladolid, and Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain.

METHODS

Mitomycin-C 0.02% was applied topically for 2 minutes to a right hen's eye after PRK (Group A) and to the left eye with intact epithelium (Group B). At different time points (10, 30, 60, 360, and 720 minutes), aqueous humor was extracted and high-performance liquid chromatography was performed to detect and quantify MMC levels.

RESULTS

The mean maximum drug concentration of MMC measured in the aqueous humor was 187.250 microg/L +/- 4.349 (SD) in Group A and 93.000 +/- 4.899 microg/L in Group B, both detected 10 minutes after topical application. Statistically significant differences were found between Groups A and B at 10, 30, and 60 minutes, with decreasing MMC levels in both groups but a higher concentration in Group A. After 360 minutes, MMC levels were undetectable in Group B and after 720 minutes in Group A.

CONCLUSIONS

Mitomycin-C was detectable in the aqueous humor of the hen eye after topical application in PRK-treated eyes and in eyes with intact epithelium. The presence of MMC is of concern as it may lead to ocular toxicity in the long term.