Tear Film and Ocular Surface Changes after Umbilical Cord Serum Therapy in Dry Eye Syndrome

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the changes of tear film and ocular surface after umbilical cord serum therapy in patients with severe dry eye syndrome. METHODS: Forty-one eyes of 25 patients with severe dry eye syndrome were treated with umbilical cord serum eyedrops. Before and after treatment, symptom score, tear film break-up time (BUT), Schirmer test, corneal sensitivity, keratoepitheliopathy score, and impression cytology were performed. RESULTS: Before treatment, symptom score, BUT, Schirmer test, corneal sensitivity, and keratoepitheliopathy score were 3.18 +/- 0.50, 3.50 +/- 1.27 sec, 3.24 +/- 0.94 mm, 51.63 +/- 9.29 mm, and 6.13 +/- 2.85, respectively. Two months after treatment, the respective parameters were 1.03 +/- 0.53 (P<0.001), 5.42 +/- 2.79 sec (P<0.001), 3.42 +/- 1.16 mm (P=0.067), 52.87 +/- 7.92 mm (0.071), and 2.10 +/- 1.98 (P<0.001). In impression cytology, the grade of squamous metaplasia and goblet cell density were 2.44 +/- 0.71 and 75.05 +/- 41.81 cells/mm2 before treatment, and 1.47 +/- 0.62 and 165.48 +/- 39.19 cells/mm2 at 2 months after treatment, respectively (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Umbilical cord serum treatment is clinically applicable and effective in patients with severe dry eye syndrome.