Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma for Dry Eye Disease

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) contains more concentrated platelets than autologous serum or whole blood.  Platelets contain a concentrated amount of growth factors and are critically important in the wound-healing process, especially on the eye's surface. Platelets transfer their healing properties rapidly to the damaged/wound site and adhere to the damaged tissue. This then initiates a healing reaction that includes the release of a variety of cytokines and growth factors. The α-granules within these platelets release many growth factors, such as platelet-derived growth factors, platelet factor IV, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β. Thus, PRP is known to harbor high concentrations of growth factors and can promote effective, rapid wound healing. 

PRP eye drops have been used to treat ocular surface disease, corneal ulcers, recurrent corneal erosions, eye pain after LASIK and PRK, and dry eye. 

Here is another study below from a good author on the benefit of PRP for Dry Eye Disease. 
Sandra Lora Cremers, MD, FACS


Former posts showing the benefit of PRP:
1. http://eyedoc2020.blogspot.com/2016/10/platelet-rich-plasma-prp-for-dry-eyes.html
2.. http://eyedoc2020.blogspot.com/2017/01/platelet-rich-plasma-injections-for.html
3. https://eyedoc2020.blogspot.com/2017/05/platelet-rich-plasma-prp-for-dry-eye.html?view=flipcard
4. https://eyedoc2020.blogspot.com/2017/06/prp-increase-growth-hormone.html?view=flipcard

Ophthalmol Ther. 2017 Aug 8. doi: 10.1007/s40123-017-0100-z. [Epub ahead of print]

Treatment of Dry Eye Disease with Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma: A Prospective, Interventional, Non-Randomized Study.

Alio JL1,2, Rodriguez AE3, Ferreira-Oliveira R4,3, Wróbel-Dudzińska D4,3, Abdelghany AA4,5,6.

Author information

1

Department of Cornea and Refractive Surgery, VISSUM, Alicante, Spain. jlalio@vissum.com.

2

Division of Ophthalmology, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Alicante, Spain. jlalio@vissum.com.

3

Research and Development Department, VISSUM, Alicante, Spain.

4

Department of Cornea and Refractive Surgery, VISSUM, Alicante, Spain.

5

Division of Ophthalmology, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Alicante, Spain.

6

Ophthalmology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, Minia, Egypt.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) eye drops as monotherapy for the treatment of moderate to severe cases of dry eye disease.

METHODS:

Three hundred and sixty-eight patients with moderate to severe dry eye disease (DED) were included in this prospective case series. Subjects were classified as evaporative DED (EDED) or aqueous deficient DED (ADDED). Improvement of the DED subjective symptoms, corneal fluorescein staining (CFS), and corrected distance visual acuity (BCVA) were evaluated. We also analysed how many rounds of PRP therapy were used.

RESULTS:

Two hundred and ninety-seven (80.7%) patients were women, and 71 (19.3%) were men. Two hundred and thirty-two (63%) patients had EDED, while 136 (37%) had ADDED. After 6 weeks of monotherapy treatment with autologous PRP, dry eye symptoms improved in 322 (87.5%) cases. A decrease of CFS was observed in 280 (76.1%) patients. One hundred and six (28.8%) patients improved at least 1 line of BCVA. The scores in the ocular Surface Disease Index and the Oxford scale of corneal fluorescein staining decreased statistically after the treatment (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION:

The topical use of autologous platelet-rich plasma as monotherapy is an effective treatment to improve signs and symptoms in patients suffering from moderate to severe chronic DED.

KEYWORDS:

Autologous platelet-rich plasma; Autologous serum; Dry eye; PRP; Plasma rich in growth factors