The Intraocular Penetration of Dexamethasone After Photorefractive Keratectomy

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) on intraocular steroid penetration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To assess steroid penetration after PRK, four rabbits underwent unilateral myopic 9.90-D PRK procedures. The other eye was left undisturbed as a control. One week later both eyes received hourly doses of radiolabeled topical dexamethasone. RESULTS: No significant difference in corneal tissue [(mean +/- 1 SD) PRK 4.8 +/- 1.1 micrograms/g, control 5.2 +/- 1.2 micrograms/g] or aqueous humor concentration [(mean +/- 1 SD) PRK 0.8 +/- 0.12 microgram/ml, control 0.9 +/- 0.05 microgram/ml] of dexamethasone was seen. CONCLUSIONS: Dexamethasone penetration in eyes 1 week following PRK is similar to that of the unablated cornea.