Fingerprick autologous blood (FAB) for persistent epithelial defects (PED) and dry eyes

Session Details

Session Title: Cornea - Medical

Session Date/Time: Monday 07/09/2015 | 08:00-10:30

Paper Time: 08:54

Venue: Room 17

First Author: : J.Wawrzynski UK

Co Author(s): :    J. Moore   B. Sharma   I. van der Sande   M. Lau   J. Than   A. Sharma     

Abstract Details

Purpose:

we investigate whether fresh autologous blood (FAB) obtained by pricking the finger can be a practicable and effective treatment for dry eye and persistent epithelial defect.

Setting:

Moorfields Eye Deparment at Bedford Hospital, UK

Methods:

Patients were asked to clean their finger and produce a drop of blood with a diabetic Lancet to apply to the lower fornix of their affected eye/s four times a day (training pamphlet ). Dry eye disease (DED) patients continued this for 2 months and patients with PED until the PED healed. Corneal staining was measured for both PED and DED. In addition ocular comfort index (OCI) scores, Schirmers, tear break up time was measured for DED at each follow up visit 4 days, 2,4,8,and 12 weeks ( final visit off FAB for 1 month).

Results:

Primary and secondary Sjogren dry eye patients showed a dramatic improvement in their symptoms within 4 days . Visual acuity and corneal staining improved in all patients. OCI score improved in all with poor initial Schirmers. Schirmer scores showed no or little improvement. Some patients worsened after stopping FAB and some continued to maintain their improvement at one month post cessation of FAB. All neurotrophic PEDs healed within 4 days.

Conclusions:

Our case series suggests FAB can effectively treat dry eyes in primary and secondary Sjőgrens disease and neurotrophic or chemical burn corneal epithelial defects. Symptoms and signs improved in this group of patients. Patients tolerated the treatment well without development side effects.

Financial Interest:

NONE