Epithelial healing in experimental corneal alkali wounds with nondiluted autologous serum eye drops.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effects of the topical application of nondiluted autologous serum on epithelial healing as an adjuvant therapy in rabbit corneal alkali wounds.

METHODS

Central corneal alkali wounds were produced on the right eye of 16 rabbits, by a 60-second application of a 6-mm round filter paper soaked in 1 N sodium hydroxide (NaOH). One group of rabbits (n=8) was treated with non-diluted autologous serum, the other control group (n=8) was treated with physiologic saline, topically 4 times a day. The epithelial healing of the wounds was followed on a slit lamp with and without fluorescein staining daily for 1 week. On day 7, both corneas of each rabbit were excised and assessed histopathologically.

RESULTS

A significant increase in the epithelial healing rate was observed in the autologous serum-treated corneas compared with the controls. Epithelial hyperplasia was noticed in specimens with thickened surface cells with multilayers, revealing disorganization in both groups. The autologous serum-treated epithelium showed a relatively well-organized appearance.

CONCLUSION

Nondiluted autologous serum eye drops could be used as an adjuvant therapy for promoting the epithelial healing process during the repair stage of corneal alkali wounds.