Autologous Platelet Lysate Eyedrop Treatment In Ocular Surface Diseases – A Prospective Study
Published 2026 - 44th Congress of the ESCRS
Reference: POCOR460 | Type: Free paper | DOI: 10.82333/n5c4-rd22
Authors: Dr Beatriz Gaspar* 1 , Dr Marta Carvalhas 2 , Dr João Quadrado Gil 3 , Dr Cristina Tavares 1 , Dr Esmeralda Guedes 3 , A/Prof. Andreia Rosa 3 , A/Prof. Maria João Quadrado 3
1Ophtalmology,ULS Coimbra,Coimbra,Portugal;Clinical Academic Centre of Coimbra,Coimbra,Portugal, 2Plastic Surgery,ULS Coimbra,Coimbra,Portugal, 3Ophtalmology,ULS Coimbra,Coimbra,Portugal;Clinical Academic Centre of Coimbra,Coimbra,Portugal;Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra ,Coimbra,Portugal
Purpose
To evaluate the safety and clinical efficacy of autologous platelet lysate (PL) eyedrops in patients with severe dry eye disease (DED) and refractory neurotrophic corneal ulcers. Outcomes included subjective symptoms, objective ocular surface parameters, corneal epithelial thickness, and visual function, aiming to assess the regenerative potential of PL on the ocular surface.
Setting
Prospective interventional study conducted at the Ophthalmology Department of Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Portugal, between July 2021 and January 2024.
Methods
Twenty-six eyes from 14 patients (24 DED, 2 neurotrophic ulcers) were treated with autologous PL eyedrops. Examinations were performed at baseline, 1 month, and ≥3 months. Parameters included OSDI, visual acuity, Oxford corneal staining, Schirmer test, tear breakup time (BUT), corneal tomography, anterior segment OCT epithelial thickness, and corneal higher-order aberrations. Healthy controls matched for age and sex were used for OCT and aberrometry comparisons.
Results
Participants were mostly female (92.9%), mean age 61 ± 13 years. Among DED patients, 83.3% completed ≥3 months of treatment. Significant reduction in corneal staining occurred in eyes with baseline Oxford ≥ 2 (p<0.001), and no severe cases remained at 3 months. Schirmer and BUT improved without statistical significance. Baseline central epithelial thickness was lower than controls (p<0.05) and normalized with treatment. Both neurotrophic ulcers healed completely without recurrence.
Conclusions
Autologous PL eyedrops are a safe and effective therapy for severe DED and neurotrophic ulcers. The significant improvement in corneal staining and normalization of epithelial thickness indicate a regenerative effect on the ocular surface. PL represents a valuable alternative for advanced or refractory cases, supporting its inclusion in future therapeutic algorithms and warranting larger multicenter validation studies.