Abstract
Purpose :
Autologous serum drops have previously been shown to improve clinical and laboratory indicators, with improved Schirmer’s test, reduced tear film debris, increased density of goblet and epithelial cells, and reduced apoptotic cells. The aim of this retrospective case series was to investigate the effect of autologous serum drops on frequency of lubricant application, and any change in the Ocular Surface Discomfort Index (OSDI) and the Ocular Discomfort Index (ODI) after treatment
Methods :
A retrospective case series is presented of 17 patients using autologous serum topically, from 07/05/11. Autologous serum had been commenced due to graft versus host disease (n=6), Sjögren's syndrome (n=3), ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (n=2), stem cell failure (n=2), trauma to the lacrimal gland (n=1), ectodermal dysplasia (n=1), Stevens-Johnson syndrome (n=1), and neurotrophic cornea due to diabetes mellitus (n=1). There were 8 males, and 9 females. The mean age was 47(±14) years. Patients used autologous serum drops for a mean 16 (±13) months. The outcome measures were frequency of use of lubricants, OSDI and ODI scores. The outcome measures were assessed at two time points, prior to introduction of autologous serum drops and also at most recent review. The OSDI and ODI questionnaires were completed retrospectively by telephone interview. The Student’s t test was used for statistical analysis
Results :
Patients instilled a mean 9 (±4) autologous serum drops per day. Prior to autologous serum, patients instilled a mean 12 (±5) drops of lubricants per day. This reduced after commencing autologus serum to a mean 3 (±4) drops of lubricant per day. The OSDI score reduced from a mean 85 to 49 after commencement of autologous serum. The mean reduction of the OSDI scare was 36 (mean±standard deviation: 36±19, 95% confidence interval ±9, p= 0.0000006). The ODI score was a mean 55 prior to autologus serum and 39 after. The mean reduction of the ODI score was 16 (mean± standard deviation: 16±8, 95% confidence interval ±4, p= 0.0000003). 3 patients discontinued use of autologous serum; the reasons identified in each case were evisceration, drops stinging on application, and the process being inconvenient
Conclusions :
Autologous serum drops are a safe and effective management option. This is demonstrated by reduced frequency of lubrication, and reduced OSDI and ODI scores
This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2016 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, Wash., May 1-5, 2016.