Evaluation of the Efficacy of 50% Autologous Serum Eye Drops in Different Ocular Surface Pathologies

Abstract

Purpose. This study evaluated the efficacy of 50% autologous serum eye drops in ocular surface diseases not improved by conventional therapy. Methods. We analyzed two groups: (1) acute eye pathologies (e.g., chemical burns) and (2) chronic eye pathologies (e.g., recurrent corneal erosion, neurotropic keratitis, and keratoconjunctivitis sicca). The patients were treated for surface instability after conventional therapy. The patients received therapy 5 times a day until stabilization of the framework; they then reduced therapy to 3 times a day for at least 3 months. We analyzed the best corrected visual acuity, epithelial defects, inflammation, corneal opacity, and corneal neovascularization. We also analyzed symptoms such as tearing, burning, sense of foreign body or sand, photophobia, blurred vision, and difficulty opening the eyelids. Results. We enrolled 15 eyes in group 1 and 11 eyes in group 2. The average therapy period was 16 ± 5.86 weeks in group 1 and 30.54 ± 20.33 weeks in group 2. The epithelial defects all resolved. Signs and symptoms improved in both groups. In group 2, the defect recurred after the suspension of therapy in 2 (18%) patients; in group 1, no defects recurred. Conclusions. Autologous serum eye drops effectively stabilize and improve signs and symptoms in eyes previously treated with conventional therapy.

Cryopreserved Amniotic Membrane, Autologous Serum Eye Drops, and Tea-Tree Oil Lid Scrubs in combination for the treatment of Keratoconjunctivitis in a Staphylococcus Hypersensitive Teenager

“…Concentrations of 50-100% autologous serums are recommended for moderate to severe dry eye. [36][37][38][39] ASED are safe to use daily long term. Bacterial contamination and preservation of the components in ASED is not a concern provided the ASED are cold stored properly (unopened vials for six months in the freezer or open vials for seven days in a refrigerator).…”

“…Bacterial contamination and preservation of the components in ASED is not a concern provided the ASED are cold stored properly (unopened vials for six months in the freezer or open vials for seven days in a refrigerator). 37,39 Typical dosing is between six times daily to every two hours for moderate to severe dry eye. 35,37 ASED are only contraindicated in patients with blood-borne pathogenic diseases such as human immunodeficiency virus or hepatitis B.…”

Autologous Serum-Based Eye Drops for Treatment of Ocular Surface Disease

“…8 In 1 study, a patient experienced a recurrence of the epithelial defect when the serum-based eye drops were discontinued. 19 In another study, 1 of the bottles of serum eye drops was found to have microbial growth that matched the bacterium (Serratia marcescens) cultured from the patient's corneal lesion. 8…”

“…8,17e19 All showed substantial improvement in the epithelial defects, and 3 showed a reduction of more than 90% in the size of the defects. 8,18,19 A study comparing 50% versus 100% serum concentration found faster closure of the epithelial defects in patients using the 100% concentration eye drops. 8 In 1 study, a patient experienced a recurrence of the epithelial defect when the serum-based eye drops were discontinued.…”

Effect of Autologous Serum Eye Drops in Patients with Sjögren Syndrome-related Dry Eye: Clinical and In Vivo Confocal Microscopy Evaluation of the Ocular Surface

“…In a previous study, we recorded a significant improvement in the signs and symptoms after therapy with eye drops in patients with different ocular surface disorders (25). The main objective of this study was to investigate the mechanisms by which AS eye drops are able to ameliorate alterations in the corneal epithelium and sub-basal nervous plexus in patients with SSDE.…”