The effect of 5-iodo-2'deoxyuridine (IDU) and dexamethasone on corneal wound healing in the rabbit.

Using lamellar keratectomy as a model, the effect of 5-iodo-2' deoxyuridine (IDU) and dexamethasone on epithelial regeneration and stromal wound healing in rabbits was studied. Under IDU medication, there was a dose-dependent delay in both epithelial and stromal regeneration of the cornea. This negative effect of IDU was considerably intensified by additional doses of dexamethasone. When IDU was used alone, regeneration in the wound was delayed by five days in comparison to the control eyes. When dexamethasone was added, the delay was prolonged to about 10 days. The results are discussed and compared with the available literature.