Dry Eye and Autologous Serum: Histopatologic Study
Purpose
To evaluate the aqueous tear production, degenerated cells and the density of Goblet cells in patients with severe dry eye after 20% autologous serum treatment.
Methods
Prospective, longitudinal and interventional study, involving 20 patients (40 eyes) with severe dryness (Grade III). Eyes were treatment with 20% autologous serum. Schirmer test, rose bengal, TBUT and conjunctival biopsy (PAS) were realized pre-operatory, on the first and sixth months after treatment.
Results
20 patients (40 eyes) with mean age 46 YO (40-52) were studied. Tear film increases quantitative and qualitative, the intensity of rose bengal staining decreased. The surface of the conjunctiva contains a small density of Goblet cells which increases after 6 months of treatment, stroma have a small inflammatory cell infiltration and in some severe cases involved the epithelium.
Conclusion
This treatment provide symptomatic relief, improve the viscosity, prolongate the tear break-up times and decrease the rose bengal staining in ocular surface after topical instillation. This treatment could be an alternative for severe cases of dryness.