Treatment of rabbit corneal alkali wounds with human epidermal growth factor

The influence on human epidermal growth factor (hEGF) on the healing of a standardized corneal alkali wound was studied in the rabbit. The epithelial, stromal, and endothelial healing processes were followed separately for three weeks using quantitative methods. Epithelial and stromal healing was statistically significantly better with h-EGF (0.05 mg/ml) applied topically three times per day. However, hEGF induced considerable neovascularization, and some of the positive influence could be a result of the new vessel formation.