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Topical Insulin Versus Autologous Serum After Corneal Surgeries

Phase 1
Conditions
Corneal Epithelial Wound
Interventions
Drug: autologous serum (AS)
Drug: conventional
Registration Number
NCT05331859
Lead Sponsor
Benha University
Brief Summary

The aim of the study is to test whether use of topical insulin or autologous serum eye-drops can promote corneal epithelial healing following photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).

Detailed Description

Topical insulin has been proved recently to enhance the corneal reepithelization rate and manage neurotrophic corneal ulcers unresponsive to conventional treatments. However, its effectiveness on corneal epithelial wound healing in patients who received photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) has not been reported. In this study, we plan to perform a prospective non-randomized study to determine the efficacy and safety of topical insulin as a primary treatment for a corneal epithelial defect in patients undergoing the PRK and compare that to autologous serum eye drops. The study eye will receive either the insulin or the serum eye drops, in addition to the conventional treatment, while the control eye will have the standard treatment. For each eligible candidate, the eye with a higher depth of ablation will be the study eye. If even ablation depth in both eyes, the right eye will be selected. The conventional postoperative eye drops include topical moxifloxacin 0.5% (Vigamox; Alcon Laboratories) four times per day, artificial tears (Systane Ultra; Alcon) every two hours, Dexamethasone 0.1% (Maxidex; Alcon Laboratories) four times daily for one month followed by fluorometholone 0.1% (Efemyo; OrchidiaLaboratories) four times daily for another two to four weeks depending on refraction and haze level. In study eyes, the patients receive either topical insulin eye drops or autologous serum in addition to conventional postoperative eye drops until complete epithelial healing. The duration for the corneal surface to completely re-epithelize, the grade of postoperative corneal haze, the incidence of corneal complications due to delayed surface re-epithelization (e.g. infectious corneal ulcer, corneal melting, sterile corneal ulcer, corneal neovascularization), and the distant corrected visual acuity will be compared between these three groups.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
250
Inclusion Criteria
  • stable refraction of at least one year, normal corneal topography, and a minimum central corneal thickness of 500 μm.
Exclusion Criteria
  • unstable refraction, dry eye, blepharitis, corneal disease, glaucoma, systemic diseases including infectious and collagen vascular diseases, diabetes, and topographical evidence of keratoconus.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Autologous serum eye dropsconventionalCorneal epithelial wound healing in patients who received photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) treated with Autologous serum eye and conventional postoperative eye drops.
conventionalconventionalCorneal epithelial wound healing in patients who received photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) treated only with conventional postoperative eye drops.
InsulinconventionalCorneal epithelial wound healing in patients who received photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) treated with topical insulin and conventional postoperative eye drops.
Autologous serum eye dropsautologous serum (AS)Corneal epithelial wound healing in patients who received photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) treated with Autologous serum eye and conventional postoperative eye drops.
InsulinInsulinCorneal epithelial wound healing in patients who received photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) treated with topical insulin and conventional postoperative eye drops.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Duration for the corneal surface to completely re-epithelialize.up to 6 weeks
Grade of postoperative corneal haze6 weeks

0, completely clear cornea; +0.5, barely visible corneal opacity; +1, reticular subepithelial opacities not interfering with visibility of fine iris details; +2, punctate or coalesced subepithelial opacities with mild obscuration of iris details; +3, confluent subepithelial opacities with moderate obscuration of the iris and lens; and +4, dense opacities with complete opacification of the stroma.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Best-corrected Visual Acuity improvement (Snellen, decimal)Before and after treatment completion, assessed up to 6 weeks
Incidence of corneal complications due to delayed surface re-epithelization (e.g. infectious corneal ulcer, sterile corneal ulcer, corneal melting, corneal neovascularization).6 weeks

Trial Locations

Locations (2)

Benha University

🇪🇬

BaNHA, Egypt

Ebsar Eye Centre

🇪🇬

Banha, Kalyobeya, Egypt

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