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To study the efficacy of 100% Leptospermum medical grade Manuka honey ointment in persistent corneal epithelial defects (CEDs). Case series. Case 1 was a 25-year-old female patient who presented to the cornea clinic with a persistent CED (3.5 mm), following acanthamoeba keratitis, that had failed to respond to heavy, frequent lubrication drops and ointment. Two weeks later, after starting Leptospermum honey ointment (4 times per day), the CED healed totally. Case 2 was a 48-year diabatic, single-eyed female patient who presented with a persistent CED (1.5 × 1.5 mm) that had failed to respond to heavy, frequent lubrication drops and ointment. The CED healed three weeks after starting Leptospermum honey ointment (4 times per day). Leptospermum honey ointment can be a potential treatment for persistent epithelial defect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To present a case series of non-healing corneal ulcers treated by solid activated platelet-rich plasma (PRP) combined with silicone-hydrogel soft contact lens. Three eyes from three patients with unresponsive corneal ulcers were included. A clot of PRP was applied directly onto the corneal ulcer and covered with a soft contact lens. The primary outcome was corneal healing. Changes in corneal ulcer area were measured by analyzing slit-lamp photographs taken using ImageJ software. Successful corneal healing was achieved in all patients within two weeks, with no recurrences or signs of infection through the last follow-up. In two of the three cases, treatment was applied twice. This novel procedure was easy to perform, economically advantageous, and a possible alternative to surgical approaches for enhancing epithelial wound healing in patients with non-healing corneal ulcers. Further prospective and comparative studies are needed to assess the efficacy of this treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate continuous wear of a fluid-ventilated, gas-permeable scleral PROSE device using a standardized protocol as treatment for refractory persistent corneal epithelial defects in patients with severe ocular surface disease. Methods: Retrospective review of eight eyes of seven consecutive patients with persistent epithelial defects refractory to traditional therapies. The standardized treatment regimen consisted of: (1) 24-hour-a-day PROSE wear until re-epithelialization was achieved, (2) brief daily device removal, cleaning, disinfection, and reservoir fluid replacement, (3) addition of a benzalkonium chloride (BAK)-free fourth-generation fluoroquinolone antibiotic drop to the reservoir, and (4) transition to long-term, daytime PROSE wear upon re-epithelialization . Results: All eight eyes exhibited resolution of the persistent epithelial defect. No eyes developed microbial keratitis. Four eyes exhibited recurrences; all recurrences promptly responded to reinstitution of continuous wear. Conclusions: Continuous wear of a PROSE device, using a strictly standardized regimen, constitutes an effective, safe treatment option for refractory persistent epithelial defects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To compare the effect of autologous serum eye drops with different diluents in patients with dry eyes and persistent epithelial defects. Methods: Patients of Sjögren's syndrome (Group I), non-Sjögren's syndrome (group II) with dry eye, and persistent epithelial defects (Group III) were included. The eyes of each group were randomly treated with one of the following autologous serum eye drops: 100% serum (AS100), 50% serum with normal saline (AS50NS); 50% serum with sodium hyaluronate (AS50HA); or 50% serum with ceftazidime (AS50CEF). The differences in dry eye symptoms, Schirmer test I, tear break-up time (TBUT), corneal staining, and speed in epithelial healing were studied. Results: In Group I, AS100 showed fewer symptoms than AS50NS, AS50HA and AS50CEF (all p < 0.01). AS100 showed significantly better effect than AS50NS, AS50HA and AS50CEF in decreasing corneal staining at the time point of 12-week post-treatment ( p = 0.041, p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). In Group II, AS100 was more effective than AS50CEF in decreasing symptoms and decreasing corneal staining (all p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in symptom and corneal staining between AS100 and AS50NS. In Group III, AS100 was the most effective in achieving quick epithelial closure. Conclusion: In the eyes with Sjögren syndrome and persistent epithelial defects, AS100 was the most effective in decreasing symptoms, corneal epitheliopathy and promoting fast closure of wound. In the eyes with non-Sjögren syndrome, AS100 and AS50NS have similar effects in decreasing symptoms and corneal epitheliopathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]