Arachidonic acid metabolites after excimer laser corneal surgery
A. F. Phillips, K. Szerenyi, M. Campos, R. R. Krueger and P. J. McDonnell
Doheny Eye Institute, University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles.
OBJECTIVE: We investigated early mediators of inflammation following
excimer laser ablation in a rabbit cornea model. The ability of topical
anti-inflammatory agents to influence these responses was also examined.
METHODS: Adult New Zealand white rabbits were subjected to photorefractive
keratectomy with a 193-nm argon fluoride excimer laser. Prostaglandin E2
and leukotriene B4 levels were measured using an enzyme immunoassay, and
leukocyte infiltration was determined histologically. RESULTS:
Prostaglandin E2 production was rapid and sustained, but we were unable to
detect the presence of leukotriene B4. Relative to control, postoperative
topical diclofenac sodium treatment caused a significant decrease in
prostaglandin E2 levels and a significant increase in corneal leukocytes at
10 hours. Fluorometholone treatment did not significantly alter
prostaglandin E2 levels but markedly depressed leukocyte ingress.
CONCLUSIONS: Diclofenac reduces prostaglandin E2 levels but not leukocyte
infiltration in the cornea following photorefractive keratectomy and thus
may be useful clinically to reduce postsurgical pain.
