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Plasma rich in growth factors may offer alternative therapy for dry eye
Cornea. 2011;30(12):1312-1317.
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A high degree of symptom improvement was evident when plasma rich in growth factors was used to treat moderate to severe dry eye, according to a study.
The study included 16 patients who had been diagnosed with moderate to severe dry eye that was unresponsive to standard treatments. The patients' symptoms were measured by a modified score dry eye questionnaire before and after plasma rich in growth factor (PRGF) therapy. Impression cytology was also performed before and after treatment to determine the degree of squamous metaplasia.
PRGF treatment was associated with a statistically significant improvement in questionnaire values (P < .001) that correlated with the impression cytology data, but no statistically significant decrease in squamous metaplasia was observed.
"Because experience with the application of this blood derivative accumulates, more specific guidelines regarding the concentrations and treatment protocols will be required," the study authors said. "In comparison to other similar plasma derivatives, our results show that PRGF is most enriched in growth factors, thus conferring additional value on this therapeutic proposal."