Symptomatic dry eye treatment with autologous platelet-rich plasma.

BACKGROUND Autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been proven to be very effective on tissue regeneration and wound healing. Here we investigate the potential use of PRP in the treatment of symptomatic dry eye. METHODS Eighteen consecutive patients with symptomatic dry eye were treated with topical PRP and followed up for 1 month. Disappearance of subjective symptoms, increase in best corrected visual acuity, tear meniscus, tear breakup time, decrease in inflammation, fluorescein staining and improvement in impression cytology were measured. RESULTS Symptoms improved significantly in 89% of the patients, 28% improved at least 1 line of best corrected visual acuity. A significant improvement on lachrymal meniscus and conjunctival hyperemia and a decrease or disappearance of corneal fluorescein staining were observed. Impression cytology revealed a significant increase in conjunctival goblet cells. CONCLUSION Treatment of patients suffering from significant dry eye symptoms with autologous RPR proved to be very effective, improving both patient symptoms and major clinical signs.