The effect of topical application of autologous blood serum and platelet rich plasma mixture on clinical vision improvement after induction of experimental corneal stromal ulcers in rabbit

Corneal ulcers which are mostly due to trauma are among the most common ocular disorders of animals that if not cured properly, might progress to blindness. In this research, the effects of platelet derived rich plasma (PRP) combined with autologous blood serum on vision improvement time (attainment of maximum corneal clarity) following creation of deep corneal stromal ulcer was evaluated. For this purpose, 25 adult male New Zealand which rabbits which were allocated to three groups of positive control (10 rabbits), negative control (5 rabbits) and treatment (10 rabbits) were used. In the control corneal regions of each animal, a deep stromal ulcer (extending from the corneal epithelium to the last stromal layer) with a diameter of 4mm was created by means of a probe. Then in the treatment group, pre-prepared PRP was placed immediately on the ulcer and autologous serum drop was administered as 2 drop, 3 times per day for 35 days. In the positive control group Chloramphenicol, Ciprofloxacin and Naphazoline ophthalmic drops and in the negative control group only distilled water were used in the same manner. During the 35 days of the study period, the visual status of the rabbits was evaluated daily. Based on clinical examinations, the treatment group achieved ideal vision significantly faster than the negative and positive control groups and the created ulcer had healed with the least amount of scar production (maximum light penetration from the cornea). Based on the results of this study, the used of PRP is recommended in the treatment of superficial to deep corneal ulcers to obtain faster heading, better vision improvement and least scar production.