Autologous serum for ocular surface diseases

Arq Bras Oftalmol. 2008 Nov-Dec;71(6 Suppl):47-54.

Abstract

Autologous serum has been used to treat dry eye syndrome for many years. It contains several growth factors, vitamins, fibronectin and other components that have been considered important for corneal and conjunctival integrity. Serum eye drops are usually prepared as an unpreserved blood solution. The serum is by nature well tolerated and its biochemical properties are somewhat similar to natural tears. Autologous serum eye drops have been reported to be effective for the treatment of severe dry eye-related ocular surface disorders (Sjögren's syndrome), and also other entities such as superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis, graft-versus-host disease, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, ocular cicatricial pemphigoid, recurrent or persistent corneal erosions, neurotrophic keratopathy, Mooren's ulcer, aniridic keratopathy, filtering blebs after trabeculectomy, and post-keratorefractive surgery. The purpose of this study is to review the recently published literature on ocular surface diseases treated with human autologous serum eye drops.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Blood Transfusion, Autologous*
  • Conjunctival Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Corneal Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Dry Eye Syndromes / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / therapeutic use
  • Ophthalmic Solutions / therapeutic use*
  • Serum* / chemistry

Substances

  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Ophthalmic Solutions