title: Therapeutic outcomes of combined topical autologous serum eye drops with silicone-hydrogel soft contact lenses in the treatment of corneal persistent epithelial defects: A preliminary study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of the combination of topical 20% autologous serum eye drops (ASEs) and silicone-hydrogel soft contact lenses (SCLs) for the treatment of corneal persistent epithelial defects (PEDs), and to compare the recurrence of epithelial breakdown with or without continuous use of ASEs after silicone-hydrogel SCLs removal.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a prospective interventional study of 21 eyes of 21 patients with PEDs treated with combined ASEs and silicone-hydrogel SCLs from September 2014 to August 2015. SCLs were removed after total re-epithelialization and patients were subsequently randomized divided into two groups: (1) with and (2) without continuous use of ASEs for an additional 2 weeks. PEDs healing rate and epithelial defect recurrence were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  PEDs healed in all eyes within 3 weeks. Recurrence was noted in five eyes (50%) in patients without continued use of ASEs for 2weeks after total re-epithelialization and SCLs removal during a 3-month follow-up (odds ratio: 23.0; P<0.05). Recurrent epithelial defects were successfully treated with secondary SCLs application combined with autologous serum use. No adverse events were noted during the entire treatment period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The combined use of ASEs and silicone-hydrogel SCLs can successfully treat recalcitrant PEDs. Prolonged use of ASEs after total re-epithelialization can decrease recurrence rates.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, E-Da Hospital, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yu-Kuei
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, E-Da Hospital, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yen-Chun
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, E-Da Hospital, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Shih-Hao
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Wei-Li
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, E-Da Hospital, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Ophthalmology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. Electronic address: louice1070@yahoo.com.tw.
authors.forename: Yan-Ming
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001804:Blood Transfusion, Autologous / Q000379:methods*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D003263:Contact Lenses, Hydrophilic; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions
keywords: Autologous serum eye drops; Bandage contact lenses; Corneal epithelial defects; Persistent epithelial defects; Silicone–hydrogel contact lens