Posters

Topical matrix regenerative therapy for corneal advanced neurotrophic ulcers

Poster Details

First Author: Z.Ayhan TURKEY

Co Author(s):    Z. Ozbek   C. Yildirim   I. Durak              

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To evaluate the effect of RGTA (Cacicol) in the treatment of 6 patients with corneal neurotrophic ulcers

Setting:

Dokuz Eylul Un�Ä�±versity School of Medicine

Methods:

We present an uncontrolled case series of six patients (six eyes) with severe corneal neurotrophic ulcers. RTGA was applied as one drop every other day in addition to the patients�â�€�™current medication. The response to treatment was evaluated by slit-lamp photography, fluorescein-dye testing and best corrected visual acuity. The main outcome measures were healing of the corneal surface and best corrected visual acuity before and after RGTA therapy.

Results:

The etiologic factors were as follows: two patients had herpetic keratitis, two had Stevens�â�€�“Johnson�â�€�™s syndrome, one had acanthamoeba keratitis and one had Wegener�â�€�™s granulomatosis. All patients were unresponsive to topical preservative free artificial tears and systemic doxicycline, vitamine C.Two patients displayed complete corneal healing after a mean period of 3.5�Â�±3.05 weeks (1 - 9 weeks). Due to limited decrease in dimensions and depth of the ulcer, 4 cases were assessed as treatment failures and underwent surgery such as amniotic membrane transplantation, cyanoacrylate application and penetrating keratoplasty. None of the responsive patients displayed significant change in visual acuity.

Conclusions:

RGTA seems to be a potentially useful alternative, noninvasive therapeutic approach in patients with neurotrophic keratopathy. Hovewer, it may not be satisfactory in advanced disease in which addiditonal surgical procedures such as AMT cyanoacrylate glue and penetrating keratoplasty may be needed

Financial Disclosure:

NONE