A new study suggests cord blood serum (CBS) eye drops could improve corneal nerve morphology and subjective symptoms in patients with severe ocular surface disease (OSD). After 20 OSD patients used CBS drops for two months, researchers found their Ocular Surface Disease Index, visual analogue scale and Oxford grading values significantly decreased, while corneal sensitivity, Schirmer’s test score and tear break-up time significantly increased.
In vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) further revealed improved corneal nerve morphology, including a higher number of total nerves, lower nerve tortuosity and fewer giant epithelial cells, neuromas and beading post-treatment. Finally, patients with neuromas and higher levels of dendritic cells before treatment experienced a greater OSDI reduction after treatment.
Although limited by a small sample size and lack of controls, the study suggests CBS eye drops may be a promising treatment option. In addition, the researchers note the IVCM data provided subclinical metrics for evaluating ocular surface epithelial and neural alterations and may “help to diagnose the severity stage of DED, select patients appropriately, and monitor the course of treatment.”
Giannaccare G, Buzzi M, Fresina M, et al. Efficacy of 2-month treatment with cord blood serum eye drops in ocular surface disease: an in vivo confocal microscopy study. Cornea. 2017;36(8):915-21. |