treatment of recurrent corneal epithelial defect by autologous serum eye drop

background: the aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of autologous serum eye drop in treatment of recurrent corneal epithelial defect. m aterials and methods: fourteen patients with recurrent corneal epithelial defect were studied. autologous serum was prepared from the patients and diluted in 20% normal saline. the patients were instructed to use the autologous serum every six hours. patients were followed for a mean period of 18 months. r es ults: four males (28.6%) and 10 females (71.4%) entered the study. four patients stopped the treatment after three months with complete satisfaction from treatment. patients reported a reduction in frequency and severity of attacks 4.6±2 weeks after the start of treatment. the mean number of attacks before the procedure was 7.6±0.9 per year which was reduced to 2.2±0.9 per year after treatment (p<0.001). the main side effects in patients were eye pruritus and redness which were well tolerated by patients. c onclusion: autologous serum application seems to be a safe and effective method to treat recurrent corneal epithelial defect.