A comparative, randomized, contralateral study between the use of Mitomycin-C and accelerated cross-linking as adjuvant therapy after trans-epithelial all surface laser ablation for moderate to high myopia (ASLA-MMC vs. ASLA-XTRA): a pilot study

Objectives: The purpose of our study is to compare accelerated corneal cross-linking (CXL) against topical application of Mitomycin-C (MMC), in patients undergoing all-surface laser ablation (ASLA) for moderate-to-high myopia and/or myopic astigmatism contralaterally and evaluate the efficacy of this technique in the prevention of postoperative corneal haze formation as well as the efficacy of refractive results. Methods: This prospective study consisted of 34 eyes of 17 myopic (range: -4.00 to -10.5 D, SD: 2.11) patients (8 males, 9 females). Mean age was 26.88 years (SD: 6.04, range: 19-36 years). One eye was randomly selected to ASLA with MMC while the contralateral eye underwent ASLA with accelerated CXL. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in the UDVA between the two groups at all postoperative time intervals (1,3,6, and 12 months). The keratometric values of the eyes and the haze score showed no statistically difference between the two groups at any time point. Conclusion: ASLA combined with accelerated CXL(ASLA-XTRA) appears to be a safe alternative to the use of MMC as an adjuvant treatment in moderate and high myopia. The potential additional benefits of this modality are the stabilizing effect of the refractive result and its sterilization effect on the treated cornea.