Subconjunctival application of regenerative factor-rich plasma for the treatment of ocular alkali burns.

PURPOSE: To study the efficiency of the subconjunctival application of autologous regenerative factor-rich plasma (RFRP) in patients with different degrees of ocular alkali burns.

METHODS: Thirty-five eyes of 35 patients with ocular alkali burns were analyzed. They were classified into moderate and relevance groups according to the severity of the burn. A control group was established for each with conventional topical medical treatment; subconjunctival regenerative factor rich plasma (RFRP) was applied to the other groups. A further group was added to the severe chemical burn group, which received autohemotherapy. The clinical evolution of the lesions and the period in which the pathology prevented the patient from working were studied; monitoring was carried out until the patient had healed.

RESULTS: In the moderate chemical burns, there was a significant reduction in corneal and conjunctival epithelization times, sick leave duration, and healing time when the patients were treated with RFRP in comparison to the control group. With regard to the severe burns, significant reduction in time to corneal scarring in those treated with RFRP in comparison to traditional treatment was reported. RFRP showed, at least as effective and less side effects than the autohemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS: Subconjunctival infiltration with autologous RFRP can be considered an effective, straightforward, and economical form of treatment for burns of the ocular surface.