Effect of hyaluronic acid on corneal haze in a photorefractive keratectomy experimental model.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the ability of topical hyaluronic acid to decrease corneal opacity after excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) in hens.

METHODS

Twenty-four white hens underwent bilateral 193-nm excimer laser PRK to correct -9.00 D of myopia. One eye received postoperative treatment with topical 1% hyaluronic acid six times daily for 3 days; the other eye received phosphate buffered saline. Slit-lamp evaluation by a masked observer was performed for 6 months after PRK, and electron microscopy was carried out at the end of the study.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in postoperative haze between the eyes treated with hyaluronic acid and those treated with phosphate buffered saline.

CONCLUSION

Topical administration of hyaluronic acid had no effect on the development of corneal haze following PRK in hens.