Autologous platelet-rich plasma eye drop versus artificial tear eye drop for symptomatic dry eye disease: A prospective comparative interventional study

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate and compare the efficacy of autologous platelet-rich plasma (aPRP) eye drop and artificial tear (AT) eye drop in moderate to severe symptomatic dry eye disease (DED). Methods: This prospective interventional study included 121 eyes of 61 patients of moderate to severe DED. Patients were divided into aPRP (31 patients) and AT (30 patients) group. Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) score, tear film breakup time (TBUT) (s), corneal fluorescein staining (CFS) score, and Schirmer test score (mm) of both the groups were evaluated and compared pre-treatment and post-treatment at the end of 3 months. Results: The mean age of the aPRP group and AT group was 52.8 ± 12.8 years and 55.5 ± 13.4 years, respectively. At the end of 3 months, OSDI score reduced more in the aPRP group as compared to AT group, and the mean difference (−22.7) was statistically significant ( P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in post-treatment Schirmer test score between the two groups ( P = 0.44). Post-treatment improvement in TBUT and CFS score in the aPRP group was significantly higher in the aPRP group as compared to that in the AT group ( P < 0.05). Bruising at the site of blood withdrawal was noted in two patients in the aPRP group. Conclusion: aPRP is safe and more effective than AT in treating patients with moderate to severe symptomatic DED.

Recent advances in platelet-rich plasma and its derivatives: therapeutic agents for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine

“…Although further research is required to perfect the method, this study indicated that lacrimal gland PRP injection is safe and effective [175][176][177]. Alio et al found that the use of autologous PRP eye drops can successfully replace the administration of autologous serum (AS) and artificial tears in the treatment of DED in 368 patients who had severe DED [178][179][180]. To examine the stability and concentration of epitheliotropic components in PRP and AS in the treatment of DED patients, Metheetrairut et al conducted a clinical trial on 10 DED patients.…”