Topical fluorometholone reduces stromal inflammation after photorefractive keratectomy

To examine the effectiveness of topical steroids in decreasing corneal stromal inflammation induced by photorefractive keratectomy, four rabbits underwent uniocular corneal deepithelialization, or deepithelialization followed by photorefractive keratectomy. Topical fluorometholone acetate 0.5% was applied topically to half of the eyes after photorefractive keratectomy. Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) were counted 24 hours after surgery. The number of PMNs in the corneal stroma was significantly higher after photorefractive keratectomy than after deepithelialization alone (P = .001) and than in normal unoperated corneas; fluorometholone treatment significantly reduced PMN accumulation (P = .001). Photorefractive keratectomy in rabbits induces an intense inflammation of the superficial stroma that can be effectively treated with topical fluorometholone. A short course of topical corticosteroids may, therefore, be appropriate after excimer laser surgery in humans.