Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether treatment with autologous serum exhibits better epitheliotropic properties than hyaluronic acid in patients with reduced wound healing (diabetics).
Patients and method: This prospective randomized study included all diabetic patients undergoing pars plana vitrectomy with abrasion of the corneal epithelium. In addition to the usual topical therapy one group was treated with hourly application of autologous serum, the other group with hyaluronic acid drops. We evaluated the time needed for closure of the corneal epithelium as well as other parameters such as patient's age, sex, duration of surgery, history of diabetes, and the current HbA1C.
Results: There were 23 patients enrolled in the study. The epithelium healed a mean of 2 days earlier in the autologous serum group. Based on the statistically significant difference in favor of autologous serum, the study was terminated after treatment of 23 patients.
Conclusions: Autologous serum eye drops lead to earlier closure of the corneal epithelium after intraoperative abrasion in diabetic patients when compared with artificial tears.