Application of umbilical cord serum eyedrops for the treatment of dry eye syndrome

• Published in: Cornea Vol. 25; no. 3; p. 268
• Main Authors: Yoon, Kyung-Chul, Im, Seong-Kyu, Park, Yeoung-Geol, Jung, Young-Do, Yang, Seong-Yeul, Choi, Jin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.04.2006
• Subjects: Adult; Cornea - physiopathology; Dry Eye Syndromes - blood; Dry Eye Syndromes - physiopathology; Dry Eye Syndromes - therapy; Epidermal Growth Factor - blood; Female; Fetal Blood; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Ophthalmic Solutions - administration & dosage; Pregnancy; Prospective Studies; Tears - metabolism; Transforming Growth Factor beta - blood; Vitamin A - blood
• ISSN: 0277-3740
• DOI: 10.1097/01.ico.0000183484.85636.b6

To investigate the efficacy of umbilical cord serum eyedrops for the treatment of severe dry eye syndrome. Fifty-five eyes of 31 patients with severe dry eye syndrome were treated with umbilical cord serum eyedrops. Symptom scoring, tear film break-up time (BUT), Schirmer test, corneal sensitivity test, and corneal fluorescein staining were performed before and 1 and 2 months after treatment, and conjunctival impression cytology was performed before and 2 months after treatment. The concentrations of epidermal growth factor (EGF), vitamin A, and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) in umbilical cord serum and normal peripheral blood serum were measured. Two months after treatment, significant improvement was observed in symptom score (from 3.07 +/- 0.54 to 0.96 +/- 0. 58), BUT (from 3.96 +/- 1.56 to 5.45 +/- 2.54 seconds), and keratoepitheliopathy score (from 4.87 +/- 3.22 to 1.71 +/- 1.84) (P < 0.01). There was no statistically significant change in Schirmer and corneal sensitivity tests. In impression cytology, the grade of squamous metaplasia (from 2.35 +/- 0.72 to 1.44 +/- 0.69) and goblet cell density (from 80.91 +/- 31.53 to 154.68 +/- 43.06 cell/mm) improved significantly (P < 0.01). The mean concentrations of EGF, TGF-beta, and vitamin A were 0.48 +/- 0.09, 57.14 +/- 18.98, and 230.85 +/- 13.39 ng/mL in umbilical cord serum and 0.14 +/- 0.03, 31.30 +/- 12.86, and 372.34 +/- 22.32 ng/mL in peripheral blood serum, respectively. Umbilical cord serum contains essential tear components, and umbilical cord serum eyedrops are effective and safe for the treatment of severe dry eye syndrome.