Korean J Ophthalmol.  2005 Sep;19(3):174-178. 10.3341/kjo.2005.19.3.174.

Therapeutic Effect of Umbilical Cord Serum Eyedrops for Persistent Corneal Epithelial Defect

• Yoon KC
• Heo H
• Jeong IY
• Park YG

• KMID: 754420
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/kjo.2005.19.3.174

Abstract

PURPOSE
To evaluate the therapeutic effect of umbilical cord serum in the treatment of persistent epithelial defect of the cornea. METHODS: Fourteen eyes of 14 patients with persistent epithelial defect that had persisted for at least 2 weeks despite conventional treatment were treated with 20% umbilical cord serum eyedrops six times a day. The images of the epithelial defects were captured using a camera attached to a slit lamp biomicroscope and the areas of the epithelial defects were calculated. Treatment was considered effective for epithelial defect healing within 2 weeks, partially effective for healing within 2 to 4 weeks, and ineffective for healing requiring either more than 1 month or additional measures. RESULTS: Mean duration of epithelial defect before treatment was 7.2+/-6.3 weeks, and mean area was 7.86+/-7.32 mm2. Umbilical cord serum therapy was effective in 6 eyes (42.9%), partially effective in 6 (42.9%), and ineffective in 2 (14.2%). Nevertheless, the epithelial defects in both the ineffective eyes were eventually healed within 8 weeks. Mean healing time in effective or partially effective cases was 2.75+/-1.06 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: The use of umbilical cord serum eyedrops for the treatment of persistent epithelial defect is effective.

Keyword

Eyedrops; Persistent epithelial defect; Umbilical cord serum

MeSH Terms

Treatment Outcome
*Ophthalmic Solutions
Middle Aged
Male
Humans
*Fetal Blood
Female
*Epithelium, Corneal
Corneal Diseases/*therapy
Aged
Adult

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Slit lamp photographs of persistent epithelial defect. (A) Before umbilical cord serum therapy, persistent epithelial defect stained with fluorescein was seen in the para-central cornea. (B) Four weeks after umbilical cord serum therapy, the epithelial defect was healed and replaced by mild corneal opacity.

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