title: Application of homologous fibronectin to persistent human corneal epithelial defects.
abstract: Six eyes with persistent corneal epithelial defects of various etiologies were treated in a randomized, prospective, double-masked study to evaluate the effect of fibronectin on corneal epithelial wound healing. Study eyes received homologous human fibronectin (300 micrograms/ml), mixed with gentamicin and artificial tears, 4 times a day. Control eyes received the mixture of gentamicin and artificial tears. If no healing occurred after 2 weeks, the drug was unmasked and where control drops had been given, the mixture containing fibronectin was administered in open-label fashion. All 4 eyes in diabetic patients had successful epithelial healing when treated with the fibronectin solution. The 2 remaining corneas, which had defects secondary to a thermal injury and a presumed infectious etiology, did not heal with fibronectin.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D004848:Epithelium / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011897:Random Allocation; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D005353:Fibronectins