[Effect of corneal collagen shields and epithelial growth promoting factors on epithelialization of the human cornea].

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In 28 patients after perforating keratoplasty followed by epithelial abrasion of the transplant the period required for epithelial closure with a therapy including collagen shields and the growth stimulating factors vitamin A and Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) was determined.

RESULTS

A significant acceleration of the epithelialization was observed in all groups treated with collagen shields compared to the control group. There is no significant difference between collagen shield application without additives and a therapy with collagen and EGF. Under collagen and retinyl palmitate therapy the epithelialization compared to collagen without additives as well as compared to collagen and EGF at a concentration of 100 ng/ml is significantly accelerated (p = 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Collagen shields, especially combined with vitamin A and EGF, can be employed as a therapeutic concept offering accelerated epithelial wound closure after keratoplasty.