Immunomodulatory therapy with anti-interleukin-1 after photorefractive keratectomy in the New Zealand white rabbit.

PURPOSE: To examine the safety and efficacy of topical anti-interleukin-1 (anti-IL-1) following photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) in rabbit eyes.

SETTING: Joint Warfighter Refractive Surgery Center, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, USA.

DESIGN: Experimental study.

METHODS: After standard PRK, 48 eyes of 24 New Zealand white rabbits were divided into 4 treatment arms and 1 control arm. Eyes in the treatment arms were randomized to receive fluorometholone 0.1% or an anti-IL-1 suspension (2.50 mg, 1.25 mg, or 0.25 mg doses) plus standard moxifloxacin, balanced salt solution (BSS), and an ocular lubricant (Systane) 4 times a day. Control eyes received only moxifloxacin, balanced salt solution, and ocular lubricant.

RESULTS: No adverse events were observed with anti-IL-1. The safety of anti-IL-1 was affirmed because there was no statistically significant difference in time to epithelial closure, foam-layer histology and thickness, or final stromal thickness measurements between the anti-IL-1 and the steroid or control groups. No increase in haze was observed with anti-IL-1. There was a trend toward decreased haze with anti-IL-1 at several data points compared with the control and steroid groups. Finally, there was a trend toward less haze in all metrics at almost every timepoint for the 2.50 mg anti-IL-1 group compared with lesser concentrations.

CONCLUSIONS: Anti-IL-1 therapy might be a safe, effective alternative to steroids for haze prevention after PRK. Of the doses studied, 2.50 mg of anti-IL-1 4 times a day appeared to be most effective. Further studies in human eyes are needed.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: Dr. Reilly has been a consultant to Alcon Laboratories, Inc., and Abbott Medical Optics, Inc. None of the authors has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.