Topical Application of Vitreous Body as a New Alternative for the Treatment of Persistent Epithelial Defect and Dry Eye

Many growth factors and chemical agents were previously used to accelerate corneal epithelial wound healing and dry eye. One of the enriched substances is autologous blood introduced with multiple randomized controlled studies for those who are not responsive to conventional treatments. Vitreous body as a natural substance has some properties which seem to make it superior to authologous blood for the management of severe dry eye syndrome and even persistent epithelial defect. This theory is based on some clues listed as below:Vitreous contains a high amount of water and little macromolecules, the character suitable for a substance to be used for relieving symptoms of dry eye as a wetting effect. Moreover, it contains some growth factors such as insulin like growth factors and pigment epithelium-derived factor and high amount of viscous materials such as Chondroitin Sulfates and Hyaloronic acids, all are compounds seems to be effective in the management of dry eye and acceleration of epithelialization. It has also anti-inflammatory features. The most important unique feature of vitreous in comparison with blood is its immune privilege property documented by previous studies. Vitreous can be obtained from brain dead patients and also from eye banks easily. As with all transplanted material of human origin, it carries risks of prion transmission; however, for intractable severe dry eye, benefits may greatly exceed the risk.