Comparison of epitheliotrophic factors in platelet-rich plasma versus autologous serum and their treatment efficacy in dry eye disease

Abstract Current treatment of severe dry eye disease (DED) includes blood-derived eye drops, such as autologous serum (AS), which lubricate the eyes and provide factors that improve ocular surface and aid in wound healing. Recent studies indicated that platelet-rich plasma (PRP) was also effective. This study aims to compare the concentration and stability of epitheliotrophic factors in AS and PRP and their efficacy in DED patients. Epitheliotrophic factors of interest are epidermal growth factor (EGF), fibronectin, platelet-derived growth factor-AB (PDGF-AB), and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-β1). We determined that all epitheliotrophic factors were present in AS and PRP at baseline and did not decrease in concentrations in all storage conditions (4 °C for 1 week and at − 20 °C for 1 and 3 months). However, differences in concentrations in AS and PRP were observed. PRP was also shown not to be inferior to AS in terms of efficacy in DED treatment in a prospective randomized control trial which evaluated ocular surface disease index, dry eye questionnaire, ocular surface staining, tear breakup time, and Schirmer test at baseline and at 1-month follow-up. Therefore, with its shorter preparation time, PRP could be considered as an alternative to AS for the treatment of DED.