Introduction: Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness globally. Most anti-hypertensive drops contain preservatives harmful to the corneal epithelium, with up to 78% of treated patients reporting dry eye symptoms. Autologous serum eye drops (ASED), contains essential growth factors and nutrients which may promote corneal and conjunctival integrity, offering benefits over traditional treatments. This study investigates the efficacy of 20% ASED over placebo in the treatment of corneal epitheliopathies in patients with glaucoma treated with antihypertensive drops. Methods: The present study is a triple-blinded, randomized controlled trial that anticipates to enroll 25 patients (50 eyes) with bilateral corneal epitheliopathy secondary to antihypertensive glaucoma treatments. Patients will receive autologous serum eye drops in one eye and placebo in the contralateral eye for two months, in addition to standard artificial tears treatment. The primary outcome is the comparison of National Eye Institute (NEI) scores between autologous serum drops and placebo-treated eyes at two months. Secondary outcomes include Schirmer's test scores, visual acuity, tear break-up time (TBUT), Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) scores, intraocular pressure, and complication rates. The study aims to analyze the effectiveness of autologous serum eye drops in treating corneal epitheliopathies in glaucoma patients, potentially offering a new therapeutic avenue.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
25
Participants receive 20% Autologous Serum Eye Drops prepared by the hospital laboratory from the patients blood, diluted with sterile 0.9% sodium chloride to achieve the desired concentration. These drops are administered 6 times daily in one eye for two months. On top of this intervention is standard artificial tears therapy (Refresh Plus), applied four times daily.
Participants in the placebo group receive eye drops consisting of sterile 0.9% sodium chloride solution, which serves as the placebo. The placebo solution is administered 6 times daily in one eye for two months. Alongside the placebo drops, participants continue with standard artificial tears therapy (Refresh Plus), applied four times daily throughout the study duration.
National Eye Index Scores
Compare NEI scores at 2 months between eyes treated with ASED 20% versus placebo in patients with corneal epitheliopathy secondary to antihypertensive glaucoma treatments.
Time frame: 2 months
Schirmer Test
Compare Schirmer Test scores at 2 months between eyes treated with ASED 20% versus placebo in patients with corneal epitheliopathy secondary to antihypertensive glaucoma treatments.
Time frame: 2 months
Visual Acuity
Compare visual acuity at 2 months between eyes treated with ASED 20% versus placebo in patients with corneal epitheliopathy secondary to antihypertensive glaucoma treatments.
Time frame: 2 months
Tear Break Up Time
Compare tear break up time at 2 months between eyes treated with ASED 20% versus placebo in patients with corneal epitheliopathy secondary to antihypertensive glaucoma treatments.
Time frame: 2 months
Ocular Surface Disease Index
Compare ocular surface disease index scores at 2 months between eyes treated with ASED 20% versus placebo in patients with corneal epitheliopathy secondary to antihypertensive glaucoma treatments.
Time frame: 2 months
Intraocular Pressure
Compare intraocular pressure at 2 months between eyes treated with ASED 20% versus placebo in patients with corneal epitheliopathy secondary to antihypertensive glaucoma treatments.
Time frame: 2 months
Complication rates
Compare complications at 2 months between eyes treated with ASED 20% versus placebo in patients with corneal epitheliopathy secondary to antihypertensive glaucoma treatments.
Time frame: 2 months
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