Abstract

Present investigation deals with a pilot study in which a new technique for applying mitomycin C directly onto the ablated corneal surface in the form of an injector-administered bubble. Here, a technique was introduced and the observations made with this technique in this pilot study involving 125 patients who received wave front bilateral photorefractive keratectomy. Mitomycin C was administered using the common minisponge application technique in one eye and mitomycin C was administered using the new bubble technique in the other eye. Photorefractive keratectomy presentation was compared between the minisponge-treated and bubble-treated eyes. Visual parameters such as visual acuity, spherical refractive error and cylindrical refractive error were similar in eyes across the two treatments before and after wave front photorefractive keratectomy. None of the minisponge-treated or bubble-treated eyes developed clinically evident photorefractive keratectomy haze. Compared to the minisponge-treated eyes, bubbletreated eyes showed faster healing (3 d vs. 5 d for contact lens bandage removal) and faster visual recovery (≤5 d vs. 7-10 d). In conclusion, the new bubble technique for applying mitomycin C after wave front photorefractive keratectomy provided a safe, effective and time-saving alternative to the standard mini sponge mitomycin C application technique.