Corneal haze post photorefractive keratectomy

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Corneal Biology
• Refractive Surgery

Background:

• Corneal haze is subepithelial fibrosis resulting from pathological healing after epithelial barrier disruption.
• It involves keratocyte transformation into myofibroblasts, leading to corneal opacity and vision impairment.
• This complication is particularly concerning after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), especially for severe ametropia due to deeper ablations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current knowledge on corneal haze formation and its clinical significance.
• To explore strategies for optimizing corneal haze prevention.
• To address the implications of potential mitomycin C (MMC) supply limitations.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on corneal haze.
• Analysis of factors influencing haze severity, including PRK depth and ametropia.
• Examination of current prevention methods like mitomycin C (MMC) and corticosteroids.

Main Results:

• Corneal haze severity correlates with PRK ablation depth and ametropia.
• No universal consensus exists on optimal haze prevention protocols.
• Mitomycin C (MMC) and topical corticosteroids are commonly used to inhibit collagen synthesis.

Conclusions:

• Corneal haze significantly impacts visual quality and refractive outcomes post-PRK.
• Effective prevention strategies are essential, particularly considering potential MMC supply chain vulnerabilities.
• Further research may be needed to establish standardized, effective haze management protocols.