AS eye drops improve ocular surface dryness and decrease epithelial damage

Autologous serum (AS) eye drops on the ocular surface of patients with bilateral severe dry eye improved not only ocular surface dryness, but decreased damage of the epithelium as well, as measured by clinical, laboratory, and subjective criteria, according to results from a study recently published in Current Eye Research.

Researchers from Charles University and the European Eye Clinic Lexum in Prague included 17 patients with severe dry eye in this 3-month prospective study. Autologous serum eye drops were applied 12 times daily (maximum) in addition to regular therapy. Dry eye status was evaluated using visual acuity, Schirmer testing, tear film breakup time, vital staining, tear film debris, and meniscus tests, as well as with conjunctival impression cytology and subjective patient assessment.

Significant improvements were seen with the application of autologous serum eye drops in the Schirmer test (P P P P

In addition, significant decreases were seen in the number of apoptotic, HLA-DR-positive and snake-like chromatin cells on the ocular surface (P

Researchers also noted that while the patients’ subjective point of view of the positive effects of treatment decreased over time, they persisted up to 3 months after therapy had been completed.

To view a copy of the abstract of this study, click here.