Interventions for recurrent corneal erosions.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent corneal erosion is a common cause of disabling ocular symptoms and predisposes the cornea to infection. It may follow corneal trauma. Measures to prevent the development of recurrent corneal erosion following corneal trauma have not been firmly established. Once recurrent corneal erosion develops simple medical therapy (standard treatment) may lead to resolution of the episode. However some patients continue to suffer when such therapy fails and once resolved further episodes of recurrent erosion may occur. A number of treatment and prophylactic options are then available but there is no agreement as to the best option.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness and safety of prophylactic and treatment regimens for recurrent corneal erosion.

SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE and LILACS in June 2007. The NRR was searched in April 2005. We also contacted researchers in the field.

SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomised and quasi-randomised trials that compared a prophylactic or treatment regimen with another prophylaxis/ treatment or no prophylaxis/ treatment for patients with recurrent corneal erosion.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Both authors independently extracted data and assessed trial quality. We contacted study authors for additional information.

MAIN RESULTS: Five randomised and one quasi-randomised controlled trial were included in the review. The trials were heterogenous and of poor quality. Safety data presented were incomplete. For the treatment of recurrent corneal erosion there was limited evidence that oral tetracycline 250 mg twice daily for 12 weeks or topical prednisolone 0.5% four times daily for one week or both in addition to standard treatment; and excimer laser ablation in addition to mechanical debridement may be effective. Therapeutic contact lens wear was inferior to lubricant drops and ointment in abolishing the symptoms of recurrent corneal erosion and had a high complication rate. For prophylaxis of further episodes of recurrent corneal erosion there was no difference in the occurrence of objective signs of recurrent erosion between hypertonic saline ointment versus tetracycline ointment or lubricating ointment. Lubricating ointment at night in addition to standard treatment following traumatic corneal abrasion (erosion) caused by fingernail injury to prevent recurrence led to increased symptoms of recurrent corneal erosion compared to standard therapy alone.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Well-designed masked randomised controlled trials using standardised methods are needed to establish the benefits of new and existing prophylactic and treatment regimes for recurrent corneal erosion.