Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) eye drops as monotherapy for the treatment of moderate to severe cases of dry eye disease. METHODS: Three hundred and sixty-eight patients with moderate to severe dry eye disease (DED) were included in this prospective case series. Subjects were classified as evaporative DED (EDED) or aqueous deficient DED (ADDED). Improvement of the DED subjective symptoms, corneal fluorescein staining (CFS), and corrected distance visual acuity (BCVA) were evaluated. We also analysed how many rounds of PRP therapy were used. RESULTS: Two hundred and ninety-seven (80.7%) patients were women, and 71 (19.3%) were men. Two hundred and thirty-two (63%) patients had EDED, while 136 (37%) had ADDED. After 6 weeks of monotherapy treatment with autologous PRP, dry eye symptoms improved in 322 (87.5%) cases. A decrease of CFS was observed in 280 (76.1%) patients. One hundred and six (28.8%) patients improved at least 1 line of BCVA. The scores in the ocular Surface Disease Index and the Oxford scale of corneal fluorescein staining decreased statistically after the treatment (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The topical use of autologous platelet-rich plasma as monotherapy is an effective treatment to improve signs and symptoms in patients suffering from moderate to severe chronic DED.