Abstract
Background To evaluate the effectiveness of plateletrich
plasma (PRP) injections in the treatment of severe
dry eye.
Methods This prospective, intervention study included
patients with severe dry eye who had been diagnosed
with Sjogren syndrome. Patients were divided into two
groups. The intervention group received PRP (n=15)
injections on days 0, 30, 60 and 90, as well as hyaluronic
acid five times per day. The comparison group received
hyaluronic acid (n=15) five times per day. Subjects were
measured at baseline and at 30, 60 and 90 days. The
primary outcome measures were changes in corneal
staining according to the Oxford classification, results
of the Schirmer test and tear break-up time (TBUT).
The secondary outcome measures were changes in the
Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) and treatment
compliance.
Results All subjects completed the study. The
intervention group showed improvements in all
primary outcome measures when compared with the
control group, including a reduction in corneal staining
(p<0.001), increase in the mean Schirmer value from
5.6±0.7 to 9.0±1.1 mm, and an increase in TBUT from
4.0±0.4 to 6.4±0.4 s at day 90. An improvement in
subjective OSDI values was also found.
Conclusion PRP injection is safe and effective in
improving tear parameters as well as subjective
parameters, and was found to be superior to hyaluronic
acid alone in the management of patients with severe
dry eye. This represent a novel alternative treatment for
severe dry eye.
Trial registration number NCT02257957. |