To evaluate the clinical effect of combined topical autologous serum eye drops (ASEs) and silicone hydrogel contact lens (CLs) for the treatment of corneal persistent epithelial defects (PEDs) after infectious corneal ulcers.
We conducted a retrospective chart review of 12 patients with postinfectious corneal PEDs who were unsuccessfully treated with conventional medical management and were then treated with combined topical 20% (v/v) ASEs and silicone hydrogel CLs from July 1, 2011, to June 30, 2014. The corneal ulcers were all initially managed with antibiotic eye drops until the infiltrates resolved but the lesions failed to epithelialize. The clinical effects of the combined treatment were evaluated.
The PEDs healed in all 12 patients within 2 weeks. The combined treatment was associated with an improvement of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at the final 3-month follow-up examination. All patients responded well to the combined treatment and no adverse events were noted in any patient.
The combined use of silicone hydrogel CLs and ASEs can successfully treat postinfectious corneal PEDs and prevent continuous corneal melting during acute disease.
Department of Ophthalmology (W.-Y.W., Y.-K.L., S.-H.T., Y.-C.L., Y.-M.C.), E-Da Hospital, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; and Department of Ophthalmology (Y.-M.C.), National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Address correspondence to Yan-Ming Chen, M.D., Department of Ophthalmology, E-Da Hospital, I-Shou University, 1 E-Da Road, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; e-mail: louice1070@yahoo.com.tw
The authors have no funding or conflicts of interest to disclose.
Supported, in part, by the Research Grant EDAHP100008, E-Da Hospital, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Accepted January 27, 2016
