Abstract
Purpose To assess the effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on the healing response of the corneal epithelium in eyes undergoing phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK). Methods We prospectively examined 20 eyes of 10 patients undergoing bilateral PTK for granular corneal dystrophy or band keratopathy. Patients were randomly assigned to start topical administration of PRP ophthalmic suspension (PRP group) or artificial tears (control group) 4 times daily for 2 weeks. Immediately, 1, and 2 days, and 1 week after PTK, we quantitatively measured the staining area of the corneal epithelium, using slit-lamp photography. We also determined the subjective symptoms and the satisfaction, using the visual analogue system (VAS). Results The staining area in the PRP group was significantly smaller than that in the control group on days 1 and 2 (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, p = 0.022 and p = 0.017, respectively), but not on day 7 (p = 0.317). The recovery rate of the corneal epithelium in the PRP group was significantly higher than that in the control group on days 1 and 2 (p = 0.022 and p = 0.017, respectively), but not on day 7 (p = 0.317). We found no significant differences in pain (p = 0.139), foreign body sensation (p = 0.108), epiphora (p = 1.000), or satisfaction (p = 0.295), between the two groups. Postoperative complications did not occur in any of the eyes in the study. Conclusions The PRP treatment was effective for enhancing corneal epithelial recovery in the early postoperative period, without significant adverse events, in post-PTK-treated eyes, suggesting that it may hold promise as one of the treatment options for treating such postsurgical patients.
Highlights
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been shown to promote wound-healing responses of biological tissues in a variety of medical fields [1, 2]
In the field of ophthalmology, topical PRP treatment has been used for the treatment of various corneal diseases, such as symptomatic dry eye [3,4,5], ocular surface syndrome after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) [6,7,8], persistent corneal epithelial defect [9,10,11,12], recurrent corneal erosion [13], dormant corneal ulcers [14,15,16,17], acute hydrops for keratoconus [18], and limbal stem cell deficiency [19]
These results suggest that PRP is effective for the treatment of such intractable diseases, because it promotes corneal epithelial healing responses, possibly resulting from the release of various growth factors
Summary
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been shown to promote wound-healing responses of biological tissues in a variety of medical fields [1, 2]. In the field of ophthalmology, topical PRP treatment has been used for the treatment of various corneal diseases, such as symptomatic dry eye [3,4,5], ocular surface syndrome after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) [6,7,8], persistent corneal epithelial defect [9,10,11,12], recurrent corneal erosion [13], dormant corneal ulcers [14,15,16,17], acute hydrops for keratoconus [18], and limbal stem cell deficiency [19] These results suggest that PRP is effective for the treatment of such intractable diseases, because it promotes corneal epithelial healing responses, possibly resulting from the release of various growth factors.
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