Affects of Mitomycin C on Scleral Collagen Fibrils Using Atomic Force Microscopy

Hui Jae Lee

Purpose: To investigate the effects of Mitomycin C on the scleral collagen surfaces by atomic force microscopy (AFM).

Methods: Two noncontact mode AFM machines were used to observe changes in the morphological characteristics of human scleral surfaces before and after 0.02% Mitomycin C application for 1, 3 and 5 minutes. From AFM topography and deflection images of the collagen fibril, the morphological characteristics of scleral fibrils including the fibril diameter and D-period were measured using line profile.

Results: The sclera collagen fibril treated with 0.02% Mitomycin C for 1 minute didn`t showed any significant increase in mean fibril diameter (155.04 ± 17.46 nm) and the mean D-periodicity (70.02±3.33 nm), compared to the control group. But scleral collagen fibrils treated with 0.02% Mitomycin C for 3, 5 minutes showed a significant increase in mean fibril diameter (182.33 ± 16.33 nm , 199.20 ± 12.40 nm) and mean D-periodicity (70.27±13.66 nm , 72.75 ± 19.32 nm), compared to the control group.

Conclusion: This study examined the structural changes in the scleral collagen fibrils before and after Mitomycin C application by atomic force microscopy. The results indirectly suggest that long-term Mitomycin C application might increase the incidence of complications like a scleromalcia