Application of autologous serum eye drops after pterygium surgery: a prospective study

Abstract

The study aims to determine the effect of 50% autologous serum drops (ASD) on corneal healing and patient comfort following pterygium surgery. Fifty eyes of 50 patients who underwent pterygium excision combined with autologous conjunctival graft were included in this prospective randomized study: in 25 eyes, 50% ASD. In the remaining 25 eyes, conventional artificial tears (CAT) were applied postoperatively until corneal epithelium had completely epithelialized. Corneal epithelium healing speed, visual analog scale (VAS) for postoperative pain assessment, conjunctival inflammation, and recurrences were evaluated. Patients were followed up for 6 months. Mean corneal epithelium closure time was 3.16 +/- 0.37 days (range 3 and 4 days) in ASD group and 4.96 +/- 0.84 days in CAT group (range 4 and 6 days), and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). VAS scores were significantly lower in ASD group than CAT group in the first 5 days after surgery. In 9 of 50 eyes, moderate conjunctival inflammation continued 1 month: 4 (16%) in ASD group and 5 (20%) in CAT group (p = 0.713). In total, pterygium recurrence was seen in 5 (10%) eyes: 2 eyes (8%) in ASD group and 3 eyes (12%) in CAT group (p = 0.637). ASD accelerated corneal epithelial healing following pterygium surgery. ASD group had lesser pain that was seem to be related with accelerated corneal epithelial healing.