Use Of Allogeneic Platelet-Rich Plasma For The Treatment Of Severe Dry Eye In Sjögren’S Syndrome: Case Series And Literature Review

To assess the effectiveness of topical allogenic platelet-rich plasma (PRP) eyedrops administration for the treatment of symptoms and clinical signs in patients with severe dry eye secondary to Sjögren’s syndrome (SS).  

Patients with severe Dry eye disease (DED) due to Sjögren’s syndrome were prospectively investigated at the Ocular Surfeace Disease Unit of the Institute of Ophthalmology, University of Messina, Italy.

6 eyes from 3 consecutive patients with severe dry eye from SS were evaluated. The patients had a form of severe persistent epithelial defects (PED) not responsive to conventional treatments (artificial tears and topical anti-inflammatory) with significant reduction of corneal sensitivity. Patients were treated in addition to their conventional therapy, with allogeneic PRP eye drops. The eyedrops were administered with the schedule of 1 drop 6 time a day for 3 months and were evaluated with a follow-up up to 4 months after the suspension of the treatment. Before and after the treatment were evaluated: subjective symptoms with OSDI scale, BCVA, TBUT, Corneal and conjunctival staining with fluorescein, Schirmer Test, and Corneal sensitivity.

Symptoms and visual acuity improved significantly in all patients. There is a significant improvement in corneal sensitivity and a decrease or disappearance of fluorescein corneal staining.

The treatment with allogenic PRP eyedrops of patients with SS related severe dry eye has proven to be very effective, with an improvement of symptoms and main clinical signs. Given the ability to improve corneal sensitivity, it could represent a treatment strategy to be considered in the absence of NGF-based eye drops.