Treatment of Recurrent Corneal Epithelial Defect by Autologous Serum Eye Drop

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of autologous serum eye drop in treatment of recurrent corneal epithelial defect. Fourteen patients with recurrent corneal epithelial defect were studied. Autologous serum was prepared from the patients and diluted in 20% normal saline. The patients were instructed to use the autologous serum every six hours. Patients were followed for a mean period of 18 months. Four males (28.6%) and 10 females (71.4%) entered the study. Four patients stopped the treatment after three months with complete satisfaction from treatment. Patients reported a reduction in frequency and severity of attacks 4.6±2 weeks after the start of treatment. The mean number of attacks before the procedure was 7.6±0.9 per year which was reduced to 2.2±0.9 per year after treatment (p<0.001). The main side effects in patients were eye pruritus and redness which were well tolerated by patients. Autologous serum application seems to be a safe and effective method to treat recurrent corneal epithelial defect.