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. 1997 May;81(5):391–395. doi: 10.1136/bjo.81.5.391

Influence of topical human epidermal growth factor on postkeratoplasty re-epithelialisation

M Dellaert 1, T Casey 1, S Wiffen 1, J Gordon 1, P Johnson 1, A Geerards 1, W Rijneveld 1, L Remeijer 1, P Mulder 1, W Beekhuis 1
PMCID: PMC1722180  PMID: 9227205

Abstract

AIM—To test the efficacy and safety of recombinant human epidermal growth factor (hEGF) on corneal re-epithelialisation following penetrating keratoplasty.
METHODS—A prospective, randomised, placebo controlled study was carried out in which patients were matched for diagnosis and received either hEGF ophthalmic solution (30 µg/ml or 100 µg/ml) or placebo in a double masked fashion. Matched pairs of patients received donor corneas from the same donor and were operated by the same surgeon on the same day. At the end of surgery all donor epithelium was removed mechanically. Patients were examined twice daily and fluorescein stained photographs were taken until the epithelium had closed. The area of the defect was measured by planimetry of the fluorescein stained defect on the photographs.
RESULTS—There were no significant differences in re-epithelialisation of the donor cornea between the placebo group and the group treated with 30 µg/ml hEGF. Time until complete closure was slightly longer with 100 µg/ml hEGF compared with 30 µg/ml hEGF and with placebo. Mean healing rate of the epithelial defect with 100 µg/ml hEGF was significantly slower than in the other groups.
CONCLUSION—No significant acceleration of corneal re-epithelialisation was demonstrated with the use of recombinant hEGF after penetrating keratoplasty in humans.



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Figure 1  .

Figure 1  

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Change in area of epithelial defect with time after penetrating keratoplasty. Size of defect at day 0 was the size of the recipient bed. Each point represents the mean (SD); area of epithelial defect was estimated by planimetry.

Figure 2  .

Figure 2  

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Change in area of epithelial defect with time after penetrating keratoplasty. Size of defect at day 0 was the size of the recipient bed. Each point represents the mean (SD); area of epithelial defect was estimated by planimetry.

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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