Application of umbilical cord serum eyedrops for the treatment of dry eye syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the efficacy of umbilical cord serum eyedrops for the treatment of severe dry eye syndrome.


METHODS
Fifty-five eyes of 31 patients with severe dry eye syndrome were treated with umbilical cord serum eyedrops. Symptom scoring, tear film break-up time (BUT), Schirmer test, corneal sensitivity test, and corneal fluorescein staining were performed before and 1 and 2 months after treatment, and conjunctival impression cytology was performed before and 2 months after treatment. The concentrations of epidermal growth factor (EGF), vitamin A, and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) in umbilical cord serum and normal peripheral blood serum were measured.


RESULTS
Two months after treatment, significant improvement was observed in symptom score (from 3.07 +/- 0.54 to 0.96 +/- 0. 58), BUT (from 3.96 +/- 1.56 to 5.45 +/- 2.54 seconds), and keratoepitheliopathy score (from 4.87 +/- 3.22 to 1.71 +/- 1.84) (P < 0.01). There was no statistically significant change in Schirmer and corneal sensitivity tests. In impression cytology, the grade of squamous metaplasia (from 2.35 +/- 0.72 to 1.44 +/- 0.69) and goblet cell density (from 80.91 +/- 31.53 to 154.68 +/- 43.06 cell/mm) improved significantly (P < 0.01). The mean concentrations of EGF, TGF-beta, and vitamin A were 0.48 +/- 0.09, 57.14 +/- 18.98, and 230.85 +/- 13.39 ng/mL in umbilical cord serum and 0.14 +/- 0.03, 31.30 +/- 12.86, and 372.34 +/- 22.32 ng/mL in peripheral blood serum, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Umbilical cord serum contains essential tear components, and umbilical cord serum eyedrops are effective and safe for the treatment of severe dry eye syndrome.
Yoon
Kyung-Chul
KC
Department of Ophthalmology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Dong Gu, Gwangju, South Korea. kcyoon@chonnam.ac.kr
Im
Seong-Kyu
SK
Park
Yeoung-Geol
YG
Jung
Young-Do
YD
Yang
Seong-Yeul
SY
Choi
Jin
J
D000328:Adult; D003315:Cornea / Q000503:physiopathology; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013666:Tears / Q000378:metabolism; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000097:blood; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000097:blood
D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D014801:Vitamin A; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor