Therapeutic Effect of Umbilical Cord Serum Eyedrops for Persistent Corneal Epithelial Defect

Abstract

To evaluate the therapeutic effect of umbilical cord serum in the treatment of persistent epithelial defect of the cornea. Fourteen eyes of 14 patients with persistent epithelial defect that had persisted for at least 2 weeks despite conventional treatment were treated with 20% umbilical cord serum eyedrops six times a day. The images of the epithelial defects were captured using a camera attached to a slit lamp biomicroscope and the areas of the epithelial defects were calculated. Treatment was considered effective for epithelial defect healing within 2 weeks, partially effective for healing within 2 to 4 weeks, and ineffective for healing requiring either more than 1 month or additional measures. Mean duration of epithelial defect before treatment was 7.2 +/- 6.3 weeks, and mean area was 7.86 +/- 7.32 mm2. Umbilical cord serum therapy was effective in 6 eyes (42.9%), partially effective in 6 (42.9%), and ineffective in 2 (14.2%). Nevertheless, the epithelial defects in both the ineffective eyes were eventually healed within 8 weeks. Mean healing time in effective or partially effective cases was 2.75 +/- 1.06 weeks. The use of umbilical cord serum eyedrops for the treatment of persistent epithelial defect is effective.