AIM: To study the effect of autologous serum in corneal epithelial healing after photorefractive keratectomy(PRK).

METHODS:Forty eyes from 20 myopic and myopic-astigmatic patients(9 male and 11 female)were included in this study. One eye of each patient was randomized to receive 20% autologous serum in artificial tears(study group)and one eye received conventional artificial tears(control group). An 8 mm alcohol well was placed centrally in all 40 eyes, and 20% alcohol was applied for 20s during PRK operation. Patients were followed up daily until epithelial closure, and at 1mo, 6mo, and 12mo. Time to epithelial healing was the main outcome measure. Uncorrected visual acuity(UCVA), manifest refraction, and haze were recorded.

RESULTS: The mean preoperative myopic spherical non-cycloplegic(dry)retinoscopy was not significantly different between two groups. The mean pain score in the study group was significantly lower than the control group on days 1, 2 and 3(P<0.05). The mean horizontal and vertical epithelial defects in the study group was lower than in the control group in all follow up exams on days 1 and 3(P<0.05). The mean total time to epithelial healing in the study group was about 0.7d less than in the control group(3.15±0.366d vs 3.85±0.587d, P=0.00).

CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that using autologous serum eye drops, by accelerating corneal epithelial healing and reducing the pain, which improves recovery time in visual acuity and reduces discomfort, haziness and infection risk after PRK.