Reflections on Dry Eye Syndrome Treatment: Therapeutic Role of Blood Products

Abstract

Dry eye syndrome (DES) is a multifactorial, frequent, pathology characterized by deficient tear production or increased evaporation of tears and associated with ocular surface alteration and inflammation. It mostly affects, but not exclusively, older individuals and leads to varying degrees of discomfort and decreased quality of life. Although the typical treatments of DES rely on using artificial tears, polyunsaturated fatty acids, integrin antagonists, anti-inflammatory agents, or on performing punctal occlusion, recently, standardized blood-derived serum eye drops (SED) are generating much interest as a new physiological treatment option. The scientific rationale in using SED for treating or releasing the symptoms of DES is thought to lie in its composition in multiple factors that resembles that of tears and contributes to the healing and protection of the ocular surface. This manuscript seeks to provide relevant background information on the management of DES, and on the increasing role that various types of SED or platelet lysates, from autologous or allogeneic origins, are playing in the improved therapeutic management of this pathology. The increasing role played by blood establishments in producing better-standardized SED is also addressed.

Novel therapeutic approaches in utilizing platelet lysate in regenerative medicine: Are we ready for clinical use?

“…Utilizing autologous products on infected newborns and elderly patients is not recommended, because they probably cannot donate blood for producing blood products. In these patients, the use of autologous prepared PL is limited due to weak vascular properties and their unsuitable blood (coagulation factor deficiency, taking anticoagulant medications, previous cerebrovascular accidents, anemia, the presence of inflammatory mediators, and cardiovascular diseases) for the procedure (Drew, Tseng, Seghatchian, & Burnouf, ). To achieve a sufficient source of nonselective viruses, differentiated megakaryocytes from induced pluripotent stem cells origin are used to produce PL (Baigger et al, ).…”

Antioxidant Role of PRGF on RPE Cells after Blue Light Insult as a Therapy for Neurodegenerative Diseases

“…It contributes to the acceleration of the healing process by increasing the proliferation and migration rate of cells. In addition, it is also involved in eye hydration [37] and reducing inflammation. Previous research has shown the retina responds well to PRGF treatment [38].…”

Autologous Serum Eye Drops versus Artificial Tear Drops for Dry Eye Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

“…The therapy and management subcommittee of the 2017 Dry Eye Workshop II (DEWS II) proposed that graded treatment could be administered to DED patients, and if the initial and second-level treatments failed, thirdlevel treatment, such as autologous serum (AS), should be considered [6]. AS is centrifuged from blood, without fibrinogens, and is similar to human tears in biomechanical and biochemical properties, for example, hydrogen ion concentration (pH), osmolarity, and components [7]. Several beneficial mechanisms of AS in treating DED have been studied, including the nourishment of nerve and epithelium and the promotion effect on the proliferation and migration of corneal epithelium [7].…”

“…AS is centrifuged from blood, without fibrinogens, and is similar to human tears in biomechanical and biochemical properties, for example, hydrogen ion concentration (pH), osmolarity, and components [7]. Several beneficial mechanisms of AS in treating DED have been studied, including the nourishment of nerve and epithelium and the promotion effect on the proliferation and migration of corneal epithelium [7]. Meanwhile, AS can increase the density of goblet cells and the expression of mucin in conjunctival tissue [8].…”