Purpose: To evaluate the current clinical evidence of safety and efficacy of intraoperative topical application of 0.02% mitomycin C (MMC) used for up to 2 minutes after surface ablation for correction of myopia.
Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted of Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, and EMBASE to identify relevant trials comparing surface ablation for correction of myopia with and without MMC. A meta-analysis was performed on the results of the reports and statistical analysis was performed.
Results: Eleven clinical trials were identified with MMC used in 534 eyes and no MMC in 726 eyes. Surface ablations with MMC led to significantly less corneal haze in photorefractive keratectomy, whereas the results were comparable in laser epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK) and epithelial laser in situ keratomileusis (epi-LASIK). Although proportionately more eyes in the MMC group achieved uncorrected distance visual acuity 20/25 or better and less frequently lost ≥ 2 lines of corrected distance visual acuity, the difference was not statistically significant.
Conclusions: Our meta-analysis suggests that the topical intraoperative application of 0.02% MMC may reduce haze and improve visual acuity after surface ablation for correction of myopia. However, the advantage of using MMC in LASEK and epi-LASIK is unclear.
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