Yoon K-C et al; Cornea April 2006; 25(3), 268-272.
Purpose: To investigate the efficacy of umbilical cord serum eye drops for treating severe dry eye syndrome.
- Methods: 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-A (TGF-A) were measured in umbilical cord serum and normal peripheral blood serum.
- Results: Two months after treatment, significant improvement was observed in symptom score (from 3.07 T 0.54 to 0.96 T 0.58), BUT (from 3.96 T 1.56 to 5.45 T 2.54 seconds), and keratoepitheliopathy score (from 4.87 T 3.22 to 1.71 T 1.84) (P G 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 T 0.72 to 1.44 T 0.69) and goblet cell density (from 80.91 T 31.53 to 154.68 T 43.06 cell/mm2) improved significantly (P G 0.01). The mean concentrations of EGF, TGF-A, and vitamin A were 0.48 T 0.09, 57.14 T 18.98, and 230.85 T 13.39 ng/mL in umbilical cord serum and 0.14 T 0.03, 31.30 T 12.86, and 372.34 T 22.32 ng/mL in peripheral blood serum, respectively.
- Conclusion: Umbilical cord serum contains essential tear components, and umbilical cord serum eyedrops are effective and safe for treating severe dry eye syndrome.