Abstract

SO.04.08

Topical application of blood products for ocular surface disease – Results of a survey among the members of Sektion Kornea of the DOG

Kasper K.¹, Godenschweger L.², Hartwig D.³, Seitz B.⁴, Opitz A.⁵, Geerling G.^1
1University eye hospital, ⁵Institute of transfusion medicine, University Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg; ²University eye hospital, ³Central laboratory, University Luebeck, Luebeck; ⁴Eye hospital, University hospital of Saarland, Homburg/Saar

Objective: The therapeut use of serum eye-drops has become more common for the treatment of ocular surface diseases such as persistent epithelial defect and dry-eye. For production and use of blood products regulatory restrictions apply. We surveyed the extent and production parameters of blood products among members of the Sektion Kornea of the German Ophthalmological Society (DOG) in the German-speaking part.
Methods: A questionnaire concerning the application of topical blood derived therapeutic agents for the eye was sent to 103 institutions in 2004 and 2006. The questionnaire included 14 groups of questions regarding the kind of blood product, the character and number of the indications they were used for, the production process, the application, quality controls and any observed complications.
Results: The rate of return was 50% in 2004 and 55% in 2006. 65% (2004: 50%) institutions used blood derived products as therapeutics agents on the eye (in 96% serum eye drops). Three hospitals stopped to use it for regulatory reasons. In 2006 approximately1200 patients were treated (2004: 1400). 51% of the ophthalmic departments produced the serum eye-drops themselves (2004: 71%). The conditions of production were diverse and concerned volume (10 to 130ml) and dilution (5 to 100%). Quality controls (e.g. virus serology and sterility check) were performed in 46% (2004: 48%). In 2004 one corneal calcification was described. In 2006 there were no complications reported. In 2006 24% of the centers stated that they had a licence to produce serum eye-drops according to the official regulations (2004: 13%).
Conclusions: The use of serum eye-drops became more common from 2004 to 2006. Complication were minimal and extremely rare. Some hospitals stopped the production and use of serum eye-drops due to regulatory reasons or had the drops produced by non-ophthalmic institutions, who are licenced to produce blood derived products. In view of first prospective randomised clinical trials showing that autologous serum supports wound healing, this therapy should be officially accepted as standard of care for severe ocular surface.

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