The use of autologous serum tears in persistent corneal epithelial defects.
OBJECTIVE
Persistent corneal epithelial defects (PED) present a very challenging problem to anterior segment surgeons. Autologous serum tears had been demonstrated to be beneficial in the treatment of PED. The current study was conducted to review the local spectrum of indications and to examine the outcome of autologous serum tear usage.


METHODS
All cases of PED treated with autologous serum tears at a tertiary referral centre for the period August 1999 - July 2001 were identified and reviewed.


RESULTS
A total of 10 eyes from 10 patients were identified (5OD : 5OS). The gender ratio was 7M : 3F and the mean age was 36.8 (range 17-73) years old. The mean duration of PED before the usage of autologous serum tears was 22.4+/-69.6 days. Six eyes healed within 2 weeks, but two eyes failed to heal after 1 month of treatment and two patients defaulted follow-up. No adverse effects were observed with the addition of autoserum tears.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of the current study correlated well with previous reported studies. Autologous serum tears may be considered as a valuable adjunct in the management of recalcitrant cases of PED.
Young
A L
AL
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China. asmyoung@netvigator.com
Cheng
A C O
AC
Ng
H K
HK
Cheng
L L
LL
Leung
G Y S
GY
Lam
D S C
DS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D044967:Serum; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing
D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions