Br J Ophthalmol 2001;85:537-539
( May )
Scientific correspondence
A randomised, double masked, clinical trial of high dose vitamin
A and vitamin E supplementation after photorefractive keratectomy
Michele Vetrugno, Anna Maino, Giuseppina Cardia, Grazia Maria Quaranta, Luigi Cardia
Eye Institute,
Department of Ophthalmology- Otorhinolaryngology, University of Bari,
Italy
Correspondence to: Michele Vetrugno, MD, Istituto Clinica Oculistica, Università di
Bari, Policlinico, piazza G Cesare, 11, 70124 Bari, Italy
m.vetrugno{at}oftalmo.uniba.it
Accepted for publication 5 January 2001
AIM
To evaluate the
effect of a high dose vitamin A and E supplementation on corneal
re-epithelialisation time, visual acuity and haze following
photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).
METHODSTwo groups of
20 patients who underwent myopic PRK were supplemented with either
25 000 IU retinol palmitate and 230 mg 
tocopheryl nicotinate or a
placebo. Clinical outcomes were evaluated up to 360 days.
RESULTSIn the vitamin
treated group, re-epithelialisation time was significantly faster
(p=0.029) and haze incidence was reduced (p=0.035), especially for high
myopic corrections (p=0.043). This group also reported a significantly
better uncorrected visual acuity (p=0.043).
CONCLUSIONSHigh dose
vitamin A and E oral supplementation may accelerate
re-epithelialisation time and may reduce corneal haze formation after PRK.
© 2001 by British Journal of Ophthalmology
