Posters

The use of autologous serum eye drops after cross-linking

Poster Details

First Author: A.Kirgiz TURKEY

Co Author(s):    M. Akdemir   A. Yilmaz   H. Kaldirim   K. Atalay   S. Asik Nacaroglu        

Abstract Details

Purpose:

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of autologous serum (AS) eyedrops on epithelial healing and postoperative pain after crosslinking (CXL).

Setting:

University of Health Sciences, Bagcilar Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey

Methods:

Sixty patients who were diagnosed as progressive keratoconus and treated with accelerated CXL (9 mW/cm2 for 10 minutes) were randomly received 20% AS eyedrops (AS group, n = 30) or artificial tears (Control group, n = 30). Patients were evaluated every day after the surgery and the day of epithelial closure was recorded. All patients were asked to report the maximum pain level by using the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale at the end of each day until the epithelial closure was totally completed. The change in topographic parameters and haze were recorded at 6 months.

Results:

The mean epithelial closure time was statistically significantly lower in AS group than in control group (2.37±0.49 days and 2.67±0.47 days, respectively, P=0.02). There was a statistically significant difference between the pain scores in the first and second day of surgery between the two groups (first day: AS group: 2.80 ± 0.66 and Control group: 3.50 ± 0.82, P=0.01; second day AS group 1.73±0.69 and Control Group 2.20±0.76, P=0.019). The preoperative and postoperative topographic parameters and haze at 6 months were similar between the two groups (P>0.05 for all).

Conclusions:

The use of AS eyedrops after CXL accelerates epithelial healing and reduces postoperative pain. Shortening the duration of epithelial closure would be beneficial in terms of reducing possible complications and increasing patient comfort.

Financial Disclosure:

None