Title:The Role of “Eye Platelet Rich Plasma” (E-Prp) for Wound Healing in Ophthalmology
VOLUME: 13 ISSUE: 7
Author(s):Jorge L. Alio, Francisco Arnalich-Montiel and Alejandra E. Rodriguez
Affiliation:Department of Cornea and Refractive Surgery, VISSUM Corporation, Alicante, Spain.
Keywords:Eye platelet rich plasma; corneal dormant ulcer; dry eye; corneal perforations; ocular surface syndrome post
LASIK.
Abstract:Blood derived products have demonstrated their capacity to enhance healing and stimulate the regeneration of
different tissues and this enhancing effect is attributed to the growth factors and bioactive proteins that are synthesized and
present in blood. Eye platelet rich plasma (E-PRP) provides higher concentration of essential growth factors and cell adhesion
molecules by concentrating platelets in a small volume of plasma as compared with autologous serum, the latter
being used widely in ophthalmology for epithelial wound healing of the cornea for the last two decades. These growth factors
and cell adhesion molecules have a major role in wound healing and enhance the physiological process at the site of
the injury/surgery via eye drops or clot. E-PRP has been used more recently, and has achieved successful outcomes in
peer-review articles in the treatment of dormant ulcers (epithelial defects of the cornea that fail to heal), moderate to severe
dry eye syndrome, ocular surface syndrome post Laser In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK), and for surface reconstruction
after corneal perforation associated with amniotic membrane transplantation. Preparation of E-PRP in the two available
formulations, eyedrops and clot, is inexpensive and easy although it requires following strict sterility conditions using
sterile and disposable materials and operating inside a laminar flow hood. No serious adverse effects have been described
with the use of these products, and it is generally well tolerated. In summary, Platelet enriched plasma in the form obtained
in ophthalmology, E-PRP, is a reliable and effective therapeutic tool to enhance epithelial wound healing in ocular
surface disease.
