Effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma on Corneal Epithelial Healing after Phototherapeutic Keratectomy: An Intraindividual Contralateral Randomized Study

PURPOSE: To assess the effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on the healing response of the corneal epithelium in eyes undergoing phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK). METHODS: We prospectively examined 20 eyes of 10 patients undergoing bilateral PTK for granular corneal dystrophy or band keratopathy. Patients were randomly assigned to start topical administration of PRP ophthalmic suspension (PRP group) or artificial tears (control group) 4 times daily for 2 weeks. Immediately, 1, and 2 days, and 1 week after PTK, we quantitatively measured the staining area of the corneal epithelium, using slit-lamp photography. We also determined the subjective symptoms and the satisfaction, using the visual analogue system (VAS). RESULTS: The staining area in the PRP group was significantly smaller than that in the control group on days 1 and 2 (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, p = 0.022 and p = 0.017, respectively), but not on day 7 (p = 0.317). The recovery rate of the corneal epithelium in the PRP group was significantly higher than that in the control group on days 1 and 2 (p = 0.022 and p = 0.017, respectively), but not on day 7 (p = 0.317). We found no significant differences in pain (p = 0.139), foreign body sensation (p = 0.108), epiphora (p = 1.000), or satisfaction (p = 0.295), between the two groups. Postoperative complications did not occur in any of the eyes in the study. CONCLUSIONS: The PRP treatment was effective for enhancing corneal epithelial recovery in the early postoperative period, without significant adverse events, in post-PTK-treated eyes, suggesting that it may hold promise as one of the treatment options for treating such postsurgical patients.