The Utilization of Topical Insulin for Ocular Surface Diseases: A Narrative Review.

Various etiologies, including diabetic keratopathy (DK), dry eye disease (DED), and neurotrophic keratopathy (NK), can disrupt corneal homeostasis, exacerbating corneal epithelial defects. Topical insulin has emerged as a promising therapy for promoting corneal wound healing and addressing underlying pathologies. This review systematically evaluates the efficacy of topical insulin across different corneal disorders. A literature review was conducted across the PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus research databases. The search resulted in a total of 19 articles, consisting of clinical trials, retrospective studies, and case reports. In DK, topical insulin accelerates corneal wound healing post-vitreoretinal surgery with lower concentrations showing higher outcomes when compared to conventional therapy, possibly due to improved epithelial stem cell migration. In comparison, the dry-eye disease results are inconclusive regarding patient-reported outcomes and corneal staining. For NK, topical insulin accelerates corneal wound healing and restores corneal nerve sensation. Other persistent epithelial defect (PED) etiologies that have been treated with topical insulin are infection, immune-mediated, mechanical and chemical trauma, and chronic ocular surface alterations. Although individual mechanisms for the benefits of topical insulin for each of these etiologies have not been studied, the literature demonstrates that topical insulin is efficacious for PEDs regardless of etiology. Future clinical trials need to be conducted to further evaluate optimal dosing, duration, and use of topical insulin for the restoration of the corneal surface.

Comparison of autologous serum and platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of severe dry eye and persistent epithelial defects.

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of topical autologous serum and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in patients with severe dry eye and persistent epithelial defects. METHODS: Sixty-seven eyes of 42 patients including 12 Sjogren, 11 meibomian gland dysfunction, 8 post penetrating keratoplasty, 5 acne rosacea, 5 chemical burn and 3 neurotophic keratopathy were analyzed. Best corrected visual acuity, Schirmer, Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), tear break-up time, Oxford staining scores were measured before the treatment and 1 month. One month scores of two groups were compared. RESULTS: Thirty three eyes received autologous serum and 34 received PRP. There was no statistically significant differences between two groups in ocular surface parameters at baseline. Statistically significant improvements were achieved in both groups in all parameters at 1 month (p < 0.05). Schirmer score improved from 7.9 ± 7.6 to 10.6 ± 8.4 mm in autologous serum (p < 0.001) and from 10.9 ± 9.5 to 13.3 ± 10.1 in PRP (p < 0.001); BUT from 4.3 ± 2.7 to 6.7 ± 3.4 s (p < 0.001) and 4.5 ± 3.0 to 6.0 ± 3.6 (p < 0.001); OSDI from 47.7 ± 14.7 to 25.7 ± 11.0 (p < 0.001) and from 54.1 ± 17.3 to 26.8 ± 11.0 (p < 0.001); Oxford score from 4.0 ± 1.0 to 1.3 ± 1.1 in (p < 0.001) and 3.9 ± 0.9 to 1.6 ± 1.3 (p < 0.001) respectively. Significant visual improvement was achieved with PRP from 0.81 ± 0.73 LogMAR to 0.72 ± 0.63 (p = 0.025), whereas insignificant with serum from 0.60 ± 0.65 to 0.57 ± 0.67 (p = 0.147). Mean epithelial healing time was 6.7 ± 4.7 (2-14) days in serum and 3.6 ± 1.9 (2-7) in PRP (p = 0.195). CONCLUSIONS: Both treatments are equally effective in severe dry eye and persistent epithelial defects. Although, visual gain is higher in PRP, autologous serum may be preferable due to low cost.

Rapid Corneal Calcification Following Endothelial Keratoplasty: A Case Report.

Corneal calcification typically progresses slowly but can occasionally advance rapidly. This report details severe stromal calcification following repeat Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) in a 75-year-old patient with diabetes, hypertension, and prior ocular surgeries, including cataract surgery, intraocular lens extraction with suturing, and trabeculectomy. Persistent epithelial defects after the surgery led to rapid central stromal calcification within four weeks, significantly reducing visual acuity. Management included switching from betamethasone sodium phosphate to fluorometholone, facilitating complete epithelial recovery within two months. However, persistent stromal opacity necessitated a subsequent penetrating keratoplasty. Infrared absorption spectrophotometry identified calcium phosphate as the primary component of the calcification. This case highlights the importance of vigilant monitoring and proactive management of epithelial defects to prevent rapid calcification following endothelial keratoplasty.

Topical insulin for refractory persistent corneal epithelial defects.

The aim was clinical evaluation of the efficacy of topical insulin eye drops in patients with refractory persistent epithelial defects (PEDs). This prospective non-randomized investigation was conducted to examine the efficacy of insulin eye drops in treating patients with PEDs that did not respond to conventional therapy. A total of twenty-three patients were included in the study, and they were administered insulin eye drops formulated as 1 U/mL, four times a day. The rate of epithelial defect resolution and time to complete corneal re-epithelialization were considered primary outcome measures. The relative prognostic impact of initial wound size and other parameters, including age, sex, smoking, diabetes, and hypertension were also analyzed. The results showed that during follow-up (maximum 50 days), a total of 16 patients (69.6%) achieved improvement. Insulin eye drops significantly reduced the corneal wounding area in 75% of patients with small epithelial defects (5.5 mm2 or less) during 20 days. Only 61% of patients with moderate epithelial defects (5.51-16 mm2) showed a significant recovery in 20-30 days. Also, 71% of patients with a defect size greater than 16 mm2, demonstrated a significant improvement in the rate of corneal epithelial wound healing in about 50 days. In conclusion topical insulin reduces the PED area and accelerates the ocular surface epithelium wound healing.

Management of Ocular Surface Inflammation with Persistent Epithelial Defects Using a Sutureless Human Amniotic Membrane Dehydrated Matrix: A Prospective Study Utilizing a Digital Ocular Surface Assessment Tool.

Purpose: To report the outcomes of using a sutureless human amniotic membrane dehydrated matrix (HAMDM) in the management of a range of ocular surface conditions utilizing a digital ocular surface disease assessment tool. Methods: Two UK NHS Trusts - Queen Victoria Hospital Foundation Trust (East Grinstead and Maidstone) and Tunbridge Wells Trust (Kent) - prospectively treated patients with ocular surface disease with sutureless HAMDM. The patient cohort was assessed for resolution of epithelial defects, ocular surface inflammation, and best-corrected visual acuity pre- and posttreatment. Measurements of ocular surface inflammation and epithelial defect size were assessed using AOS digital imaging software, a validated tool for objective grading of bulbar conjunctival redness and measurement of corneal epithelial defects. Results: A total of 47 applications of sutureless HAMDM on 46 eyes of 46 patients (25 male, 21 female, age 9-94 years) were assessed across various etiologies for an average of 24.0±14.1 days. Patients with limbal stem-cell deficiency (n=17), persistent epithelial defects (n=16), neurotrophic corneal disease (n=7), filamentary keratitis (n=2), corneal erosion (n=1), corneal thinning (n=1), ocular surface inflammation (n=1), and traumatic corneal laceration (n=1) were included in the study. Across all patents, 63% of eyes showed complete healing of epithelial defects and 32.6% of eyes showed partial resolution. The average rate of healing (wound closure) was 0.36 mm2 per day across the overall patient cohort, and the rate of healing in cases with complete resolution of epithelial defects was 0.41 mm2 per day. Inflammation across all four quadrants of the ocular surface remained stable. Visual acuity across the patient cohort remained stable (61%) and improved in 26% of patients (0.06±0.51 logMAR). Conclusion: Sutureless HAMDM application can be accomplished in just a few minutes and effectively treat a range of ocular surface disease in a clinical, nonsurgical setting. The AOS imaging software offered a quantitative methodology for measuring epithelial defect size and inflammation state.

The role of topical insulin in ocular surface restoration: A review.

Corneal epithelial defects are one of the most common ocular disorders. Restoring corneal integrity is crucial to reduce pain and regain function, but in cases of neurotrophic or desensitized corneas, healing can be significantly delayed. Treating neurotrophic corneas is challenging for ophthalmologists, and surgical intervention is often indicated to manage refractory cases that are unresponsive to medical therapy. Over the last decade, as more expensive therapeutics reach the market, topical insulin has returned to the forefront as an affordable option to improve corneal wound healing. There is still a paucity of data on the use and the efficacy of topical insulin, with no consensus regarding its indications, preparation, or posology. Here we review the literature on topical insulin for corneal and ocular surface pathologies, with a focus on the current evidence, its mechanisms of action, and its safety profile. Additionally, we share our experience in the field and provide a potential framework for future research.

Insulina colirio en afecciones de la superficie ocular / Insulin Eye Drops for Eye Surface Conditions

Cuando se produce una erosión corneal y fracasa la epitelización corneal surgen los defectos epiteliales corneales persistentes, cuyo tratamiento es un desafío para el oftalmólogo. Es muy frecuente el fracaso del tratamiento convencional por lo que se mantiene el interés en la búsqueda de otros factores de crecimiento para la cicatrización epitelial tales como los colirios de insulina. La insulina es un péptido estrechamente relacionado con el factor de crecimiento similar a la insulina 1. Su mecanismo de acción no es bien comprendido, sin embargo se acepta que es capaz de inducir migración y proliferación de las células epiteliales corneales, por lo que promueve y acelera la reepitelización de defectos epiteliales persistentes refractarios a tratamiento. La ausencia de una presentación comercial de colirio de insulina, hace necesario conocer su estabilidad físicoquímica y microbiológica así como la eficacia, efectividad y seguridad del colirio de insulina a diferentes concentraciones. De ahí la motivación para realizar una revisión de la literatura existente sobre el empleo del colirio de insulina en el tratamiento del defecto epitelial corneal persistente. Se realizó la búsqueda en bases de datos electrónicas como PubMed Central, EBSCO, Clinical Trials.gov, MEDLINE OVID, EMBASE OVID con el objeto de identificar artículos relacionados con el tema(AU)

When corneal erosion occurs and corneal epithelialization fails, persistent corneal epithelial defects arise, whose treatment is a challenge for the ophthalmologist. The failure of conventional treatment is very frequent; therefore, there is still interest in the search for other growth factors for epithelial healing, such as insulin eye drops. Insulin is a peptide closely related to insulin-like growth factor 1. Its mechanism of action is not well understood; however, it is accepted that it is capable of inducing migration and proliferation of corneal epithelial cells, thereby promoting and accelerating reepithelialization of persistent epithelial defects refractory to treatment. The absence of a commercial presentation for insulin eye drops makes it necessary to know its physicochemical and microbiological stability, as well as the efficacy, effectiveness and safety of insulin eye drops at different concentrations; hence the motivation to review the existing literature on the use of insulin eye drops in the treatment of persistent corneal epithelial defects. The search was carried out in electronic databases such as PubMed Central, EBSCO, Clinical Trials.gov, MEDLINE OVID, EMBASE OVID, with the aim of identifying relevant articles related to the topic(AU)

Insulina tópica en el tratamiento del defecto epitelial persistente posúlcera corneal grave / Topical insulin for treating persistent post-severe corneal ulcer epithelial defect

El tratamiento del defecto epitelial refractario es un reto y está sujeto al desarrollo de estudios preclínicos y clínicos con el objetivo de obtener tratamientos eficaces, entre los que emerge la insulina tópica. El objetivo del presente artículo fue describir la respuesta cicatrizal del epitelio corneal bajo tratamiento con colirio de insulina. Se presentan dos pacientes con diagnóstico de defecto epitelial persistente posúlcera corneal. Se indicó insulina tópica una gota cada 6 horas, con evolución hacia la epitelización corneal total a los 10 días de iniciado el tratamiento. Se sugiere el mecanismo por el cual la insulina promueve la cicatrización corneal al lograr la restauración de los nervios corneales y favorecer la migración de células epiteliales. En ambos casos el colirio de insulina logró la promover la cicatrización epitelial total de la córnea por lo que se es útil en el tratamiento de defecto epitelial persistente(AU)

The treatment of refractory epithelial defect is a challenge and depends upon the development of preclinical or clinical studies aimed at obtaining effective treatments, among which topical insulin emerges. The objective of this article was to describe the healing response of the corneal epithelium under treatment with insulin eye drops. The cases are presented of two patients with a diagnosis of persistent post-corneal ulcer epithelial defect. Topical insulin was prescribed at one drop every six hours, with evolution towards total corneal epithelialization ten days after the treatment started. The mechanism is suggested by which insulin promotes corneal healing, thus restoring corneal nerves and favoring epithelial cell migration. In both cases, the insulin eye drops were able to promote total epithelial healing of the cornea, making it useful in the treatment of persistent epithelial defect(AU)

Use of PROSE for long-term ocular surface support in patients with a permanent keratoprosthesis.

Purpose: To describe the long-term outcome of the use of a specialized scleral lens known as a prosthetic replacement of the ocular surface ecosystem (PROSE) device to support the ocular surface in patients with a Boston Keratoprosthesis (KPro) Type I. All patients in this series were unable to pursue continuous wear of a bandage soft contact lens (BSCL) - a critical aspect of post KPro implantation management intended to protect the corneal carrier tissue from desiccation and stromal melting. Observations: Four eyes of four patients with a Boston KPro Type I were included. All four had failed BSCL wear and were instead treated with PROSE device wear. All four patients had underlying diagnoses associated with a diseased ocular surface (Stevens-Johnson Syndrome [one patient], prior failed penetrating keratoplasty associated with herpes zoster-related neurotrophic keratopathy [one patient], and prior failed penetrating keratoplasty associated with severe dry eye disease [two patients]). Causes of failure of BSCL wear included poor retention, discomfort, and poor vision. PROSE device wear was initiated on average seven and a half (range four to 14) months post-KPro implantation. The wear schedule varied and ranged from waking-hour wear only to 24-h wear. The average duration of device wear was 59.3 (range 28-103) months. Two patients exhibited persistent corneal epithelial defect formation with waking-hour wear, which resolved within 10 days with 24-h device wear. All patients exhibited improvement in vision with PROSE compared to baseline, averaging six and a half (range six to eight) lines of improvement in Snellen acuity, and all patients reported increased comfort. There was no incidence of microbial keratitis, KPro device instability, or other complication throughout the duration of device wear. Conclusions and Importance: This report offers a novel alternate approach to long-term support of the ocular surface in patients with a Boston KPro who fail standard continuous BSCL wear.

Three Consecutive Cases of Ocular Polyhexamethylene Biguanide (PHMB) Toxicity Due to Compounding Error.

Acanthamoeba keratitis is treated with long-term biguanide therapy, and the treatment itself can lead to ocular side effects. Knowledge of possible toxic complications can help in the better titration of the treatment regimen. Here, we describe the toxic side effects of polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB), which occurred in three consecutive patients treated with in-house compounded PHMB. There was an error in compounding the solution, with the resultant concentration of PHMB being around 0.2%. Patients developed ocular toxicity like conjunctival inflammation, persistent epithelial defect, and large pigment clumps on endothelium within six weeks of initiation of therapy. All of them developed rapidly progressive cataract and mydriatic pupil within three months. PHMB has the potential to cause irreversible damage to ocular structures, and the toxicity is time and concentration-dependent.

New developments in the management of persistent corneal epithelial defects.

A persistent epithelial defect (PED) is a corneal epithelial defect that failed to heal after 2weeks. It is a condition that carries much morbidity, and our understanding of PED remains poor, with current treatment methods often having unsatisfactory outcomes. With PEDs becoming more prevalent, more efforts are required to establish reliable treatment modalities. Our reviews describe the causes of PEDs and the different approaches developed to manage them, as well as their associated limitations. Emphasis is placed on understanding various advances in the development of new treatment modalities. We have also described a case of a woman with a background of graft-versus-host disease on long-term topical corticosteroids who developed complicated PED involving both eyes. The current approach to managing PEDs generally involves exclusion of an active infection, followed by treatment modalities that aim to encourage corneal epithelial healing. Success rates, however, remain far from desirable, as treatment remains challenging due to multiple underlying etiologies. In summary, advances in the development of new therapies may be able to facilitate progress in the understanding and treatment of PED.

Autologous serum eye drops in dry eye disease: Preferred practice pattern guidelines.

Autologous serum eye drops provide lubrication and promote epithelial healing. They have been successfully used in the management of ocular surface disorders such as dry eye disease, persistent epithelial defects and neurotrophic keratopathy for many decades. A great deal of variation in the methods of preparation of autologous serum eye drops, the end concentration and the duration of use exists in published literature. In this review, simplified recommendations for preparation, transport, storage and use of autologous serum are described. Evidence for the use of this modality in aqueous deficient dry eye disease is summarized, along with expertise-based rationale.

Topical Losartan: Practical Guidance for Clinical Trials in the Prevention and Treatment of Corneal Scarring Fibrosis and Other Eye Diseases and Disorders.

Losartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) that impedes transforming growth factor (TGF) beta signaling by inhibiting activation of signal transduction molecule extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). Studies supported the efficacy of topical losartan in decreasing scarring fibrosis after rabbit Descemetorhexis, alkali burn, and photorefractive keratectomy injuries, and in case reports of humans with scarring fibrosis after surgical complications. Clinical studies are needed to explore the efficacy and safety of topical losartan in the prevention and treatment of corneal scarring fibrosis, and other eye diseases and disorders where TGF beta has a role in pathophysiology. These include scarring fibrosis associated with corneal trauma, chemical burns, infections, surgical complications, and persistent epithelial defects, as well as conjunctival fibrotic diseases, such as ocular cicatricial pemphigoid and Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Research is also needed to explore the efficacy and safety of topical losartan for hypothesized treatment of transforming growth factor beta-induced (TGFBI)-related corneal dystrophies (Reis-Bu¨cklers corneal dystrophy, lattice corneal dystrophy type 1, and granular corneal dystrophies type 1 and type 2) where deposited mutant protein expression is modulated by TGF beta. Investigations could also explore the efficacy and safety of topical losartan treatments to reduce conjunctival bleb scarring and shunt encapsulation following glaucoma surgical procedures. Losartan and sustained release drug delivery devices could be efficacious in treating intraocular fibrotic diseases. Dosing suggestions and precautions that should be considered in trials of losartan are detailed. Losartan, as an adjuvant to current treatments, has the potential to augment pharmacological therapeutics for many ocular diseases and disorders where TGF beta plays a central role in pathophysiology.

Prolonged Inflammation and Infectious Changes in the Corneal Epithelium Are Associated with Persistent Epithelial Defect (PED).

Purpose: Failure of rapid re-epithelialization within 10-14 days after corneal injury, even with standard supportive treatment, is referred to as persistent corneal epithelial (CE) defect (PED). Though an array of genes regulates reepithelization, their mechanisms are poorly understood. We sought to understand the network of genes driving the re-epithelialization in PED. Method: After obtaining informed consent, patients underwent an ophthalmic examination. Epithelial scrapes and tears samples of six PED patients and six individuals (control) undergoing photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) were collected. RNA isolation and quantification were performed using either the epithelial scrape taken from PED patients or from HCLE cells treated with control tears or tears of PED patients. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to detect the expression of a few important genes in CE homeostasis, inflammation, and cell-cell communication, viz., Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4), GPX4, IL6, TNFα, STING, IL8, desmoglein, and E-cadherin, among others. Their expressions were normalized with their respective housekeeping genes and fold changes were recorded. KLF4 localization and MMPs activity was carried out via immunofluorescence and zymography, respectively. Results: KLF4, a transcription factor important for CE homeostasis, was upregulated in tears-treated HCLE cells and downregulated in PED patients compared to the healthy PRK group. Cell-cell communication genes were also upregulated in tears-treated cells, whereas they were downregulated in the PED tissue group. Genes involved in proinflammation (IL6, 282-fold; TNFα, 43-fold; IL8, 4.2-fold) were highly upregulated in both conditions. MMP9 activity increased upon tears treatment. Conclusions: This study suggests that tears create an acute proinflammatory milieu driving the PED disease pathology, whereas the PED patients scrapes are an indicator of the chronic stage of the disease. Interferons, pro-inflammatory genes, and their pathways are involved in PED, which can be a potential target for inducing epithelialization of the cornea.

Leptospermum Medical Grade Manuka Honey Ointment in the Treatment of Persistent Corneal Epithelial Defect.

BACKGROUND: To study the efficacy of 100% Leptospermum medical grade Manuka honey ointment in persistent corneal epithelial defects (CEDs). METHODS: Case series. RESULTS: Case 1 was a 25-year-old female patient who presented to the cornea clinic with a persistent CED (3.5 mm), following acanthamoeba keratitis, that had failed to respond to heavy, frequent lubrication drops and ointment. Two weeks later, after starting Leptospermum honey ointment (4 times per day), the CED healed totally. Case 2 was a 48-year diabatic, single-eyed female patient who presented with a persistent CED (1.5 × 1.5 mm) that had failed to respond to heavy, frequent lubrication drops and ointment. The CED healed three weeks after starting Leptospermum honey ointment (4 times per day). CONCLUSIONS: Leptospermum honey ointment can be a potential treatment for persistent epithelial defect.

Modified Continuous Suturing Technique for Amniotic Membrane Fixation after Chemical Corneal Injury: An Octagonal Graft.

This case report aims to describe a modified continuous suturing technique for firm fixation of a human amniotic membrane graft in a patient with persistent epithelial defect (PED) after a chemical eye injury. As a result of this technique, the amniotic membrane (AM) was firmly fixed to the corneal surface with eight continuous and locked episcleral sutures that resembled an octagon graft. This technique was performed in a 14-year-old patient with PED after a chemical corneal burn. Three weeks after the surgery, the PED was completely healed. This simple continuous suturing technique can allow firm and stable fixation of AM grafts on the ocular surface in cases of PED after chemical burn. It may prevent early loss of the graft and facilitate corneal epithelial wound healing.

New Pharmacological Approaches for the Treatment of Neurotrophic Keratitis.

Neurotrophic keratitis (NK) is a rare degenerative condition that is caused by damage to the trigeminal nerve, with partial or complete loss of corneal sensory innervation. The loss of innervation leads to impaired healing of corneal epithelium, which subsequently results in punctate epithelial erosions, persistent epithelial defects, corneal ulcers and corneal perforation. Management of NK is often supportive and aims to promote epithelial healing and prevent progression of disease. Multiple novel pharmacological approaches have been proposed to address the underlying pathophysiology of NK, which are discussed in this paper.

When EGFR inhibitor meets autoimmune disease: Severe corneal complications in a patient with Sjögren syndrome after erlotinib treatment.

INTRODUCTION: To report the first case of severe corneal complications in a patient with Sjögren syndrome after receiving erlotinib treatment. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 51-year-old woman with Sjögren syndrome presented with persistent corneal epithelial defects, which did not respond to conservative therapies. She had been diagnosed with lung cancer and was being treated with erlotinib, a kind of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor, for over 2 years. Cornea stromal melting and perforation were not avoided and a total of four penetrating keratoplasties were performed. Stable corneal surface was achieved after the erlotinib treatment was paused. CONCLUSION: This report, to the best of our knowledge, is the first description of severe ocular complications present in a patient with Sjögren syndrome after receiving the EGFR inhibitor. The underlying ocular or system diseases that were thought to be irrelevant upon receiving the EGFR inhibitors might negatively influence the tumor patients planning to take these kinds of targeted medication. Therefore, it is important to have eye examinations before and during the EGFR inhibitors treatment and supplement the relative contraindications (such as Sjögren syndrome) to EGFR inhibitor treatments as necessary.

Sutureless "Contact Lens Sandwich" Technique for Amniotic Membrane Therapy of Central Corneal Ulcers.

PURPOSE: To describe a new technique for sutureless and glue-free amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) and to investigate its effectiveness to treat corneal persistent epithelial defects (PEDs), compared to bandage contact lens (BCL) application alone. METHODS: We performed AMT with "contact lens sandwich technique" (CLS-AMT) in 8 consecutive patients with central/para-central (up to 4.00 mm from the geometrical centre) PED/ulceration and we retrospectively compared the results with 11 BCL procedures. RESULTS: The procedures were performed successfully with no complications.CLS-AMT showed significantly shorter healing time than BCL (24.0 ± 19.1 vs 42.9 ± 14.6 days; P < 0.05, Mann-Whitney test). Recurrence rates were 12% and 27% for CLS-AMT and BCL, respectively. CONCLUSION: CLS-AMT technique, based on the suction effect due to the superposition of a bandage contact lens on the AM-ring complex, represents a quick, low cost, easy to perform and nearly non-invasive AMT technique. This approach is able to provide adequate fixation of AM, and it seems to be a safe and effective treatment for patients with PEDs.

Risk factors for corneal epithelial wound healing: Can sex play a role?

PURPOSE: To determine if sex is associated with corneal epithelial wound healing time in patients with persistent corneal epithelial defects (PCEDs). METHODS: Retrospective case series on patients with PCED from November 2014 to January 2019. Records of 127 patients with diagnosis of PCED were reviewed. Patients with an epithelial defect that lasted more than two weeks in the absence of an active corneal infection were included. Main outcome was corneal epithelial wound healing time. RESULTS: 55 patients (29 males) with a mean age of 65.3 ± 16.5 years were included. No difference was found between female and male patients in terms of risk factors, age, treatment strategies or intervals between visits (median of 15 days in females and 12 days in males; p = 0.24). Median duration of the PCED was 51 days (IQR 32-130), with a median number of 5 clinical visits (IQR 4-8). Female patients had significantly longer healing times (p = 0.004) and a corresponding increase in the number of clinical visits (median of 7 visits vs. 5 clinical visits in males, p = 0.012). CONCLUSION: Results from this study suggest female patients with PCED might have a longer corneal epithelial wound healing duration and may therefore require earlier intervention.