Effect of Prophylactic and Therapeutic Mitomycin C on Corneal Apoptosis, Cellular Proliferation, Haze, and Long-term Keratocyte Density in Rabbits

Abstract

Mitomycin C treatment induces apoptosis of keratocytes and myofibroblasts, but the predominate effect in inhibiting or treating haze appears to be at the level of blocked replication of keratocytes or other progenitor cells of myofibroblasts. Treatment with 0.002% mitomycin C for 12 seconds to 1 minute appears to be just as effective as higher concentrations for longer duration in the rabbit model. However, a persistent decrease in keratocyte density in the anterior stroma could be a warning sign for future complications and treatment should be reserved for patients with significant risk of developing haze after PRK.