Platelet-rich plasma effective remedy for dry eye

Autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a very effective treatment for severe dry eye symptoms, according to the results of a study published in the March issue of Ophthalmic Research.

Jorge Alio and colleagues from the Instituto Oftalmologico de Alicante and the Universidad Migul Hernandez, Alicante, Spain, treated 18 consecutive dry eye patients with topical PRP. The researchers were looking for the disappearance of subjective symptoms, increases in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), tear meniscus, tear break-up time and decreases in inflammation and fluorescein staining. Improvements in impression cytology were also measured.

At one-month follow-up, 89% of subjects demonstrated a significant improvement in symptoms and 28% improved by at least one line of BCVA. A significant improvement in lachrymal meniscus and conjunctival hyperaemia, and a decrease or disappearance of corneal fluorescein staining was observed. Meanwhile, impression cytology revealed a significant increase in conjunctival goblet cells.

The authors of the study conclude that autologous PRP is a very effective treatment for severe dry eye symptoms.