Alejandra E. Rodriguez

Symptomatic Dry Eye Treatment with Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma

Background: Autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been proven to be very effective on tissue regeneration and wound healing. Here we investigate the potential use of PRP in the treatment of symptomatic dry eye. Methods: Eighteen consecutive patients with symptomatic dry eye were treated with topical PRP and followed up for 1 month. Disappearance of subjective symptoms, increase in best corrected visual acuity, tear meniscus, tear breakup time, decrease in inflammation, fluorescein staining and improvement in impression cytology were measured. Results: Symptoms improved significantly in 89% of the patients, 28% improved at least 1 line of best corrected visual acuity. A significant improvement on lachrymal meniscus and conjunctival hyperemia and a decrease or disappearance of corneal fluorescein staining were observed. Impression cytology revealed a significant increase in conjunctival goblet cells. Conclusion: Treatment of patients suffering from significant dry eye symptoms with autologous RPR proved to be very effective, improving both patient symptoms and major clinical signs.

The Role of “Eye Platelet Rich Plasma” (E-Prp) for Wound Healing in Ophthalmology

Blood derived products have demonstrated their capacity to enhance healing and stimulate the regeneration of different tissues and this enhancing effect is attributed to the growth factors and bioactive proteins that are synthesized and present in blood. Eye platelet rich plasma (E-PRP) provides higher concentration of essential growth factors and cell adhesion molecules by concentrating platelets in a small volume of plasma as compared with autologous serum, the latter being used widely in ophthalmology for epithelial wound healing of the cornea for the last two decades. These growth factors and cell adhesion molecules have a major role in wound healing and enhance the physiological process at the site of the injury/surgery via eye drops or clot. E-PRP has been used more recently, and has achieved successful outcomes in peer-review articles in the treatment of dormant ulcers (epithelial defects of the cornea that fail to heal), moderate to severe dry eye syndrome, ocular surface syndrome post Laser In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK), and for surface reconstruction after corneal perforation associated with amniotic membrane transplantation. Preparation of E-PRP in the two available formulations, eyedrops and clot, is inexpensive and easy although it requires following strict sterility conditions using sterile and disposable materials and operating inside a laminar flow hood. No serious adverse effects have been described with the use of these products, and it is generally well tolerated. In summary, Platelet enriched plasma in the form obtained in ophthalmology, E-PRP, is a reliable and effective therapeutic tool to enhance epithelial wound healing in ocular surface disease.

Treatment of Ocular Surface Syndrome After LASIK With Autologous Platelet-rich Plasma

PURPOSE To ascertain the usefulness of platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of patients suffering from symptomatic ocular surface syndrome following LASIK. METHODS Twenty-six eyes (9 women and 4 men) affected by symptomatic ocular surface syndrome were treated with topical eye drops of autologous platelet-rich plasma and results were reported at 4 weeks. Topical platelet-rich plasma was prepared from total blood and enriched in platelets by centrifugation. RESULTS Eighty-five percent of patients experienced significant improvement of symptoms; best spectacle-corrected visual acuity increased 1 to 2 lines in 54%; fluorescein staining analysis showed a 69% full fluorescein disappearance; and tear break-up time increased > 2 seconds in 46%. Only one patient developed intolerance to platelet-rich plasma after 4 weeks. CONCLUSIONS Autologous platelet-rich plasma was effective in the treatment of patients with ocular surface syndrome following LASIK, with symptoms generally relieved and a positive effect on punctate keratitis.

Endophthalmitis Caused by Fusarium proliferatum

ABSTRACT Fusarium proliferatum caused endophthalmitis after cataract surgery. Diagnosis was established by classical microbiology and molecular biology methods (PCR and DNA typing). The treatment with local amphotericin B, oral ketoconazole, and topical natamycin was successful.

Eye platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of ocular surface disorders.

Purpose of review Blood-derived products [autologous serum, eye platelet-rich plasma (E-PRP), plasma rich in growth factors] are successful therapies for ocular surface disorders, which compromise the integrity of the cornea surface and conjunctiva. Recent findings The most noteworthy and recent research has been directed towards hemoderivatives that include platelets. PRP for ophthalmologic use (E-PRP) has achieved successful outcomes as reported in the peer-review literature in the treatment of dry eye, post-laser in-situ keratomileusis ocular surface syndrome, dormant ulcers, and for ocular surface surgical reconstruction after corneal perforation associated to amniotic membrane transplantation, bovine pericardium membrane transplantation, or autologous fibrin membrane combined with solid PRP clot. Summary PRP is a portion of the patients own blood having a platelet concentration above baseline. The main advantage of PRP over other products is the presence of the platelets and associated with this the prolonged release of growth factors that are involved in the wound healing process of the cornea and conjunctival surface. E-PRP seems to be a reliable and effective therapeutic approach to enhance epithelial wound healing and promote ocular surface regeneration in different pathological conditions.

Effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Nerve Regeneration After LASIK

PURPOSE To investigate the effect of topical eye application of platelet-rich plasma (E-PRP) on the recovery of corneal sensitivity after LASIK and the anatomical recovery of the sub-basal corneal plexus as studied by confocal microscopy. METHODS This was a randomized, consecutive, controlled, prospective and masked study on 108 myopic eyes receiving LASIK. The main variables of the study were the increase in corneal sensitivity (Cochet-Bonet aesthesiometer; Luneau, Paris, France) and the aspect of the sub-basal nerve plexus (confocal microscope). Additionally, a biomicroscopic study of the epithelial status of the cornea and a subjective questionnaire were completed. Each eye of each patient was assigned to one of two groups: 54 eyes treated with balanced saline solution and 54 fellow eyes receiving PRP drops for 3 months. RESULTS No significant differences were detected when the corneal sensitivity thresholds were compared at any postoperative visit in both groups (P > .05 for all comparisons). Almost identical sub-basal fiber densities were estimated for both groups before LASIK (t test, P = .66). However, the type and severity of staining detected during the slit-lamp examinations at the first and third month postoperatively were significantly less evident in the E-PRP treatment group (Wilcoxon test, P < .05). CONCLUSIONS PRP drops have beneficial effects for promoting epithelial status after LASIK but have no positive effect on recovery of corneal sensitivity, probably due to the limited bioavailability of growth factors in corneal stroma when the substance is topically administered.

New Pyrenochaeta Species Causing Keratitis

ABSTRACT We report a new fungus as an agent of fungal keratitis in a diabetic woman. The fungal etiology was established by classic microbiology and PCR following 3 months of antibacterial therapy. The morphological features of the isolate and sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer region indicate a new species of Pyrenochaeta (Coelomycetes).

Bovine pericardium membrane (tutopatch) combined with solid platelet-rich plasma for the management of perforated corneal ulcers.

Purpose: To evaluate the use of a collagenous patch derived from bovine pericardium (Tutopatch) associated to a clot of autologous eye platelet–rich plasma (E-PRP) as a surgical alternative for the closure of perforated corneal ulcers. Methods: A total of 6 patients with perforated corneal ulcers were treated. The Tutopatch was fixed to the conjunctiva with nylon stitches and then the E-PRP clot was placed on the corneal surface, underneath the patch. At the end of the procedure, a partial temporal tarsorrhaphy was done. Patients were observed daily for the following 10 days. Results: In all cases, the corneal perforation was sealed. The bovine pericardium patch was present over the corneal surface until the tarsorrhaphy was opened. No evidence of infection or inflammation was detected. Digital tonometry confirmed acceptable ocular pressure in all cases from day 2 after the surgery. No patients reported pain, discomfort, or any subjective symptoms, and no complications were observed. The tarsorrhaphy was opened 2 to 3 weeks after the surgery, and the ocular surface was inspected without signs of leakage. The patients were followed up for 3 months with no evidence of relapses or perforations in 5 of them. Conclusion: The combined use of Tutopatch and E-PRP clot was found to be a safe and effective surgical technique for the closure of perforated corneal ulcers. This technique could be an alternative for the urgent management of perforated corneal ulcers although additional studies are needed to determine the techniques overall effectiveness.

Keratopigmentation (corneal tattooing) for the management of visual disabilities of the eye related to iris defects

Aim To investigate the functional and cosmetic outcomes of keratopigmentation (KTP) in cases of moderate to severe visual dysfunctions owing to different iris disorders. Methods 11 eyes with moderate to severe visual disabilities related to iris defects underwent KTP for functional and cosmetic restoration using micronised mineral pigments and assisted with modern technologies such as femtosecond laser and new automated keratopigmentation instruments for the intrastromal and superficial application of the pigments. Results Following the KTP surgery, the visual-function-related symptoms improved in all cases, from significant improvement to total elimination. Eight patients were asymptomatic after the surgery. In two patients, minimal non-disabling symptoms remained after surgery. One patient with traumatic aniridia complained of significant residual glare at the 3-month postoperative visit and was reoperated to reduce the simulated pupil to 4 mm. The cosmetic outcomes were analysed and classified as excellent in eight patients and good in three. Conclusion KTP using new micronised mineral pigments and new surgical protocols has proven in this series to be an effective surgical technique for the management of moderate to severe visual dysfunctions related to iris defects.

Femtosecond-assisted keratopigmentation for functional and cosmetic restoration in essential iris atrophy

&NA; We describe a new surgical technique of femtosecond‐assisted keratopigmentation (KTP) in a 23‐year‐old woman with severe visual dysfunction secondary to unilateral essential iris atrophy due to the presence of iridocorneal endothelial syndrome in her left eye. The patient presented with complaints of photophobia and monocular diplopia in the affected eye. Femtosecond‐assisted KTP surgery was performed in this eye. Following the procedure, the patient reported complete elimination of photophobia and diplopia, with an excellent cosmetic result. Follow‐up of 12 months was unremarkable. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a severe visual function disability caused by essential iris atrophy that was corrected by a new KTP technique. Financial Disclosure: No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.