Platelet Rich Plasma Eyedrops for Chemical Eye Injuries

In the study outlined below, platelet rich plasma eyedrops were used to augment standard treatment of chemical injuries to the eye.  The researchers found PRP to be "safe and effective, and it promotes rapid reepithelialization of ocular surface"

Novel and interesting application of PRP.

Allan Mishra

TotalTendon

Topical Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma Eyedrops for Acute Corneal Chemical Injury.

Panda A, Jain M, Vanathi M, Velpandian T, Khokhar S, Dada T.

Source

Cornea. 2012 Jul 2. 

Abstract

PURPOSE:

Evaluation of efficacy of autologous platelet-rich plasma eyedrops as an adjunct to standard medical treatment as compared with standard medical treatment with artificial tears in acute ocular chemical injury.

METHODS:

Twenty eyes with grade III to grade V chemical injury were randomly assigned to 2 groups. Group I (10 eyes) received autologous platelet-rich plasma eyedrops along with standard medical treatment, and group II (10 eyes) received standard medical treatment alone. Follow-up was on days 3, 7, 14, 21, 30, 60, and 90. Chi-square test for categorical variables and Mann-Whitney test for quantitative variables were applied for statistical analysis.

RESULTS:

The mean time between exposure and presentation was 2.15 ± 0.93 days (group I, 2.2 ± 0.73 days; group II, 2.1 ± 0.98 days; P = 0.81). Complete epithelialization was achieved in all the eyes. The mean ± SD and median (range) time to complete epithelialization were 40 ± 31.57 days and 25.5 (7-90) days in group I and 47 ± 26.15 days and 30.0 (21-90) days in group II (P = 0.29). For grade III injuries, mean ± SD and median (range) time to complete epithelialization were 14 ± 7 days and 14 (7-21) days in group I and 28.5 ± 3.67 days and 28.5 (21-30) days in group II (P = 0.006) [Wilcoxon rank sum (Mann-Whitney) test]. At 3 months, corneal clarity showed significant improvement in grade I compared with grade II (P = 0.048). Similarly, the percentage improvement in best-corrected visual acuity was 63.64 ± 55.75 and 37.74 ± 9.66 for grades I and II, respectively (P = 0.082).

CONCLUSIONS:

Topical autologous platelet-rich plasma therapy is safe and effective, and it promotes rapid reepithelialization of ocular surface and can be administered along with standard medical therapy.