Umbilical Cord Blood Serum Therapy For The Management Of Persistent Corneal Epithelial Defects

Abstract

AIM: To evaluate the role of umbilical cord blood serum (CBS) therapy in cases with persistent corneal epithelial defects (PED). METHODS: Sixteen eyes of 14 patients with PED who were resistant to conventional treatment were treated with 20% umbilical cord serum eye drops. Patients were followed -up weekly until epithelization was complete. The collected data included the grade of corneal lesion (Grade I: epithelial defect +superficial vascularization, Grade II: epithelial defect +stromal edema, Grade Ill: corneal ulcer +stromal melting), the size of epithelial defect (pretreatment, 7th, 14th and 21st days of treatment), and follow-up time was evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: The mean size of epithelial defect on two perpendicular axes was 5.2x4.6-mm(2) (range: 2.5-8 mmx 2.2-9 mm(2)). Mean duration of treatment was 8.3 +/- 5wk. CBS therapy was effective in 12 eyes (75%) and ineffective in 4 eyes (25%). The epithelial defects in 4 ineffective eyes were healed with amniotic membrane transplantation and tarsorrhaphy. The rate of complete healing was 12.5% by 7d, 25% by 14d, and 75% by 21d. The healing time was prolonged in Grade Ill eyes in comparison to eyes in Grade I or Grade II. CONCLUSION: The results of the current study indicated the safety effectiveness of CBS drops in the management of PED. The grade of disease seems have a role on the healing time.