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Biomedical subjects

Yukihiro Matsumoto

Publications and source records attributed to Yukihiro Matsumoto.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Clinical evaluation of the Smart Plug in the treatment of dry eyes.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of a thermo sensitive punctum plug, the Smart Plug, in the treatment of dry eyes. DESIGN: Observational case-series study. METHODS: Eighteen eyes of 10 dry eye patients who previously failed conventional plug insertion were enrolled. Schirmer 1 test, vital staining scores, and tear clearance tests were performed before plug insertion, at 2 weeks, 1 month, and 3 months after insertion. RESULTS: Although Schirmer test values were not significantly different before and after plug insertion, the tear clearance rate considerably decreased (Before insertion: 14.8+/-11.4; After insertion: 8.2+/-6.6) (P<.05). Rose-Bengal and fluorescein scores improved significantly after plug insertion (Rose-Bengal: Before insertion: 6.4+/-2.0; After insertion: 3.3+/-1.6 points, Fluorescein: Before insertion: 4.8+/-2.3; After insertion: 2.1+/-1.3) (P<.05). No complications were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Smart Plug proved to be a safe and efficient option in the treatment of dry eye.

Dry Eye Syndromes↗
PubMed2006

Successful tear lipid layer treatment for refractory dry eye in office workers by low-dose lipid application on the full-length eyelid margin.

PURPOSE: To test tear lipid layer treatment by low-dose lipid application on the full-length eyelid margin for the treatment of office workers with dry eyes refractory to conventional treatments. DESIGN: Prospective interventional case series. METHODS: Thirty eyes of 30 office workers with dry eyes with dark tear interference images, which did not respond to conventional treatments, were included. To supply lipid using a commercially available nonpreserved topical medication having both polar and nonpolar lipid base, ofloxacin eye ointment (Santen Pharmaceutical, Osaka, Japan) was selected. Low-dose ofloxacin ointment application on the full-length eyelid margin was carried out three times a day for two weeks. The symptom of ocular dryness using a visual analog scale, tear interferometry to assess lipid layer thickness (LLT), corneal fluorescein staining, tear-film breakup time (BUT), and meibum expressibility gradings were compared. RESULTS: After the treatment, the symptom score of ocular dryness decreased from 91.4 +/- 11.9 to 33.6 +/- 21.0 (P < .0001), LLT increased from 39 +/- 4 nm to 161 +/- 91 nm (P < .0001), BUT was prolonged from 2.6 +/- 1.6 seconds to 4.8 +/- 2.1 seconds (P = .01), and meibum expressibility gradings decreased from 2.8 +/- 1.3 to 1.6 +/- 1.3 (P = .0005). CONCLUSION: For office workers with refractory dry eyes, tear lipid layer treatment by low-dose ointment applied on the full-length eyelid margin was shown to be an effective approach. The applied lipid formed a uniform lipid layer, which contributed to tear stability, leading to the improvement of the symptom.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Optical aberrations and visual disturbances associated with dry eye.

Optical aberrations and visual disturbances are associated with dry eye, although visual impairment is often not detected by conventional visual acuity testing. The newly developed functional visual acuity (FVA) device allows continuous dynamic evaluation of distance visual acuity and assessment of the effect of natural tear film status on dynamic visual function. Similarly, to detect corneal surface irregularities during sustained eye opening in dry eye subjects, a new tear stability analysis system (TSAS) has been developed. Both FVA and TSAS measurement systems seem to be effective tools in the assessment of dynamic visual acuity changes in dry eye and normal subjects. Both methods were also found to be helpful in the evaluation of the outcome of management of dry eye disease. FVA testing has been suggested to be an important indication of an individual's performance in relation to certain daily activities, such as driving, reading and working at a video display terminal. This review provides illustrations of results obtained from FVA and TSAS systems.

Astigmatism↗
PubMed2006

Tear film lipid layer alterations in allergic conjunctivitis.

PURPOSE: To assess the alterations of the tear film lipid layer and tear functions in patients with seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (SAC) and to compare the results with healthy control subjects. METHODS: Seventy-eight eyes of 39 consecutive patients diagnosed as SAC (mean age 32.6 years; 11 male, 28 female) as well as 20 eyes of 10 healthy control subjects (mean age 32.5 years; 6 male, 4 female) underwent slit-lamp examinations, tear film breakup time measurements (BUT), corneal fluorescein stain scoring, Schirmer test, and tear film lipid layer interferometry. The 2 groups were then compared for the examined parameters. RAST and serum IgE level evaluations were also carried out in the patients to confirm the diagnosis of allergy. RESULTS: The mean BUT was 3.4 +/- 1.5 seconds in patients with SAC compared with the mean value of 12.4 +/- 2.4 seconds in the controls (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in relation to Schirmer test values between the 2 groups; 78% of the patients with SAC had grade 3 or above dry eye change in tear film lipid layer interferometry, whereas none of the controls had an interferometry grade greater than 3 (grade 1-2 normal; grade 3-4 dry eye; grade 5 severe dry eye). Eyes with SAC had significantly higher tear film lipid layer thickness ranges compared with the control eyes (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: SAC was associated with advanced tear instability and thickening of the tear film lipid layer. Evaluation of the tear film lipid layer thickness might be useful in the assessment of the extent of dry eye disease and the treatment outcomes in patients with allergy.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Efficacy of a new warm moist air device on tear functions of patients with simple meibomian gland dysfunction.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of an original warm moist air device on tear functions and ocular surface of patients with simple meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). METHODS: Fifteen patients with simple MGD and 20 healthy volunteers were recruited in an initial prospective interventional clinical trial to evaluate the safety and short-term effects of the warm moist air device. The device was applied to the eyes of the subjects for 10 minutes. Temperatures of the eye lids and corneas were measured with an infrared thermometer. Symptoms of ocular fatigue were scored using visual analog scales (VASs). Schirmer test, tear film break-up time (BUT), DR-1 tear film lipid layer interferometry, fluorescein staining, and rose bengal staining were also performed before and after the application of the eye steamer. After the initial study, another 2-week prospective clinical trial was carried out in 10 patients with MGD who received the warm moist air treatment. Ten other patients were also recruited and received warm compress treatment with hot towels for 2 weeks to evaluate the long-term effects of the warm moist air device and the warm compresses on tear film lipid layer thickness and ocular surface health. The warm moist air device and the warm compresses were applied for 10 minutes twice a day. The changes in VAS scores for symptoms, BUT values, fluorescein, and rose bengal staining scores were examined before and after each treatment during the second trial. RESULTS: VAS scores of ocular fatigue improved significantly with short- and long-term applications of the warm moist air device in both studies. The mean corneal surface and eye lid temperatures showed significant elevation within safe limits 10 minutes after the moist air application. The mean BUT prolonged significantly in the patients receiving warm moist air applications but did not change significantly in those treated with warm compresses. DR-1 tear film lipid layer interference showed evidence of lipid expression in the patients and controls, with thickening of the tear film lipid layer after 10 minutes of warm moist air device use. In the 2-week trial, tear film lipid layer thickness increased in both warm moist air device and warm compress groups, with a greater extent of increase in the warm moist air device group. CONCLUSION: Warm moist air device use provided symptomatic relief of ocular fatigue and improvement of tear stability in patients with MGD. The new warm moist air device seems to be a safe and promising alternative in the treatment of MGD.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

The features of dry eye disease in a Japanese elderly population.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to assess the features of dry eye disease in a Japanese elderly population. METHODS: One hundred thirteen left eyes of 113 pensioners (50 males, 63 females; mean age, 67.5 +/- 5.7 years) aged over 60 years were recruited in this study. The subjects underwent careful slit-lamp examinations of the conjunctiva, ocular surface, and the eye lids. Tear film breakup time (BUT) examinations, Schirmer test-I, and fluorescein staining of the ocular surface and transillumination of the eyelids were also performed. Dry eye symptomatology was assessed with a symptom questionnaire. Japanese Dry Eye Diagnostic Criteria were used in this study. RESULTS: Ocular tiredness, irritation, dryness, and foreign body sensation were the most frequently reported symptoms by the patients. A total of 73.5% of the eyes had definite dry eyes. A total of 39.8% of the eyes had a Schirmer test reading <5 mm. Mean Schirmer test value was 9.4 +/- 7.8 mm. The mean BUT score was 4.0 +/- 2.8 seconds. A total of 76.9% of the eyes had positive fluorescein staining of the cornea. Meibomian gland dysfunction and conjunctivochalasis were found as frequent factors in relation to dry eye disease with meibomian grand dropout showing positive correlation with tear instability. CONCLUSION: Qualitative and quantitative disorders of the tear film were far more common than recognized in this population of elderly subjects, meibomian gland dysfunction being the most common associate of the tear film disorder and dry eye status. Conjunctivochalasis (conjunctival laxity), although commonly associated with dry eye disease in the elderly, was observed not to be related to age or gender in this study.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2006

Strip meniscometry: a new and simple method of tear meniscus evaluation.

PURPOSE: To investigate the applicability and efficacy of a new and simple method of quantification of the volume of tear meniscus, termed "strip meniscometry," in the diagnosis of the dry eye syndromes in a prospective controlled study. METHODS: One hundred eyes of 50 patients with dry eye (19 males; 31 females) aged between 18 and 76 years (mean, 54.3 years), as well as 80 eyes of 40 normal subjects aged from 15 to 70 years (mean, 50.8 years; 12 males, 28 females) were recruited in this study. The patients and the control subjects underwent strip meniscometry for 5 seconds, tear film lipid layer interferometry, tear film break-up time measurement, and ocular surface vital staining with fluorescein and rose bengal dyes and the Schirmer-1 test. RESULTS: Strip meniscometry scores correlated with tear quantity and stability, ocular surface staining scores, and lipid layer interferometry grades and improved after 2 weeks of punctal plug occlusion. CONCLUSIONS: Strip meniscometry is a swift, noninvasive, promising new method that is expected to find application in the diagnosis and evaluation of the outcome of treatment of dry eye syndromes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Disturbance of microcirculation due to unhealthy lifestyle: Cause of type 2 diabetes.

Recently, type 2 diabetes seems to be increasing annually in all developed countries. The outcome of type 2 diabetes is often tragic due to succession of complications including renal disorders requiring hemodialysis, blindness, and limb amputation. The expenses for the care of diabetic patients are also a large burden on the society. These circumstances strongly indicate the necessity of prevention. For satisfactory prevention, the clarification of the etiology related to lifestyle is important, but it remains insufficient to date. In this paper, we present a hypothesis of the etiology of type 2 diabetes from the viewpoint of microcirculation. As mentioned later, an unhealthy lifestyle first causes disturbance of the microcirculation, and a portion of the blood is considered to bypass the capillaries via arteriovenous shunts. This prevents the delivery of glucose and insulin to cells of peripheral tissues, causing hyperglycemia unrelated to the cell insulin sensitivity or the endocrine state, i.e., apparent reduction of insulin sensitivity. Disturbance of the microcirculation also causes oxidative stress in peripheral tissues by inducing ischemia and hypoxia. This oxidative stress is considered to further exacerbate reduction of insulin sensitivity. This hypothesis is supported by the well-known fact that insulin sensitivity recovers with improvement in lifestyle including moderate exercise.

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2↗
PubMed2005

Highly regio- and stereoselective hydrostannylation of alkynols with a new Lewis acidic hydrostannane.

[reaction: see text] Bu2Sn(OTf)H (1a), easily prepared from Bu2SnH2 and TfOH, was found to be very valuable for highly regio- and stereoselective hydrostannylation of various propargyl alcohols leading to (Z)-gamma-stannylated allyl alcohols. The stannylation with 1a is applicable to the synthesis of hydroxy-substituted (Z)-vinylstannanes from terminal alkynes bearing a hydroxy group at the homoallylic or bishomoallylic position. The coordination of the hydroxy group to the Lewis acidic tin center plays an important role for the observed regio- and stereochemistry.

Allyl Compounds↗
PubMed2005

The effect of autologous serum eyedrops in the treatment of severe dry eye disease: a prospective randomized case-control study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of the autologous serum eyedrops in the treatment of severe dry eye patients. DESIGN: Prospective randomized case-control study. METHODS: Thirty-seven eyes of twenty severe dry eye patients without punctal occlusion were enrolled in this study. After 2 weeks of washout, they were randomly assigned to two groups. Group A patients used only preservative-free artificial tears, and group S patients used only autologous serum eyedrops. We evaluated the results of Schirmer test, fluorescein and rose bengal staining scores, tear film breakup time (BUT), and subjective symptom scores before and 2 weeks after treatment. RESULTS: Mean BUT and fluorescein and rose bengal staining scores, as well as subjective symptom scores, showed significant improvement in the patients assigned to autologous serum eyedrops compared with subjects assigned to preservative-free artificial tears after 2 weeks of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Autologous serum eyedrops were found effective in the treatment of severe dry eye disease, as evidenced by improvement of tear stability and ocular surface vital staining scores.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

The application of a new continuous functional visual acuity measurement system in dry eye syndromes.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of a new continuous functional visual acuity measurement (FVAM) system for the assessment of dry eye patients. DESIGN: Prospective comparative study. METHODS: Monocular recognition acuity measured continuously by the FVAM system during a 30-second blink-free period was defined as functional visual acuity (FVA). Examinations using the FVAM system were conducted in 35 eyes of 20 healthy controls and 19 eyes of 13 dry eye patients. Tear function examinations including the Schirmer test, tear film break-up time, and fluorescein and Rose Bengal staining were performed in all subjects. Functional visual acuity and tear functions were also examined before and after insertion of punctum plugs in dry eye patients. Functional visual acuity results at 10, 20, and 30 seconds were compared. RESULTS: Functional visual acuity in dry eyes were significantly lower than control subjects at all time points (P < .05). Functional visual acuity after punctum plugs insertion improved significantly at all time points (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: FVAM system seemed not only to be an effective tool in the assessment of dynamic visual acuity changes in dry eye and normal subjects but in evaluating the outcome of management of dry eye disease by punctum plugs.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

The effect of antireflection film use on blink rate and asthenopic symptoms during visual display terminal work.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of visual display terminal antireflection (AR) films on blink rate and subjective symptoms of asthenopia. METHODS: This was a nonrandomized, prospective clinical trial in which 7 healthy volunteers underwent blink rate measurements with a blink rate recording system while viewing a DVD on a computer display for 10 minutes. The measurements were carried out without an AR film on terminal displays initially. The same tasks were performed on the next day with an AR film on the displays. The subjects were also required to score their symptoms of asthenopia on a visual analog scale before and just after DVD viewing. The changes in blink rate and asthenopia scores with AR film use were assessed by the Student t test. RESULTS: The mean baseline blink rate was 15.7 +/- 5.9 blinks /min, which decreased significantly to 9.6 +/- 4.3 blinks/min after DVD viewing without an AR film (P < 0.05). The mean baseline and final blink rates for DVD viewing with an AR film were 14.6 +/- 9.2 and 14.3 +/- 9.2 blinks/min, respectively. There were no significant differences between baseline and final blink rates after DVD viewing with an AR film (P > 0.05). The mean cumulative visual analog asthenopic symptom score after DVD viewing without an AR film was 72 +/- 18% compared with the mean cumulative symptom score of 52 +/- 11% after DVD viewing with an AR film. The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Visual display terminal work appears to be associated with asthenopic symptoms and decreased blink rates. The use of AR films on computer displays may prevent both reflections of light from screen surfaces and reduction in blink rates resulting in fewer asthenopic symptoms.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Ocular surface findings in Hallopeau-Siemens subtype of dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa: report of a case and literature review.

PURPOSE: This article describes the clinical features and long-term changes in corneal sensitivity, tear function, and impression cytology findings in a patient with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB). METHODS: The patient underwent best-corrected Landolt visual acuity measurements, slit-lamp examinations, anterior segment photography, Schirmer test with anesthesia, tear film break-up time, corneal fluorescein and Rose-Bengal staining, assessment of corneal sensitivity, and conjunctival impression cytology at the initial and final visits. RESULTS: The patient had a recurrent corneal erosion in the right eye and a painful corneal blister with extensive superficial punctuate keratopathy in the left eye, which remained refractory to treatment with patching, lubricants, and antibiotic ointments for 10 weeks. The corneal disease in both eyes responded swiftly to topical fibronectin, topical nonpreserved tears, vitamin A ointment, and therapeutic soft contact lenses. Maintenance treatment was continued with preservative-free topical tear drops and vitamin A ointment. Corneal disease did not recur in the patient during the follow-up of 29 months. The mean corneal sensitivity and tear film break-up time were decreased initially in both eyes and attained normal values with treatment. Impression cytology revealed squamous metaplasia, loss of cellular cohesion, and total absence of goblet cells before treatment, all of which were observed to be normalized at the final follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The ocular surface disease in DEB was characterized by low corneal sensitivity, disorder of tear quality, decreased cellular cohesion, squamous metaplasia of the conjunctiva, and goblet cell loss. Close follow-up for ocular complications in DEB is essential and a pathophysiology-oriented approach to the epithelial disease may not only provide rapid healing but might prevent recurrences as well.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed2005

Successful topical application of a new antifungal agent, micafungin, in the treatment of refractory fungal corneal ulcers: report of three cases and literature review.

PURPOSE: To report the efficacy of topical application of a new antifungal agent, micafungin (MCFG), in the treatment of yeast-related corneal ulcers. DESIGN: Noncomparative interventional case reports. PARTICIPANTS: Three patients with yeast-related corneal ulcer after keratoplasty recalcitrant to conventional antifungal treatment for 4 weeks were recruited in this study. METHODS: Topical 0.1% antifungal MCFG eye drops were applied in 3 patients with yeast-related corneal ulcer every hour while awake until epithelialization. After epithelialization, the frequency of eye drops was reduced to 5 times a day. MCFG eye drops were discontinued 1 month after the disappearance of stromal infiltration in each case. The patients underwent best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) measurements, slit-lamp examination, fluorescein-dye staining, and anterior segment photography. Corneal scrapings and cultures of surgical materials were also performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes in ulcer size, stromal infiltration, fluorescein dye staining, and BCVA were looked for. RESULTS: All corneal ulcers epithelialized within 14 days after commencement of application of 0.1% MCFG eye drops. Yeasts were detected from corneal smears in all eyes. Two cases revealed positive culture isolates for Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis. No recurrence of fungal keratitis was observed in any of the cases throughout the follow-up periods. CONCLUSION: Topical 0.1% MCFG eye drops seem to be an effective and a promising option in the treatment of refractory yeast-related corneal ulcers.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed2005

Tear film and ocular surface abnormalities after eyelid tattooing.

A 45-year-old woman who underwent eyelid tattooing 20 years earlier presented with decreased left vision and eye discomfort. Her ocular history revealed an uneventful LASIK procedure 4 years previously with epithelial problems of the flap followed by S. aureus keratitis. Resultant corneal opacity necessitated a deep lamellar keratoplasty performed 9 months prior to admission followed by frequent epithelial problems. At the time of admission, her left eye had a corneal epithelial defect and both lower eyelid margins revealed subepidermal pigmentation and keratinization. Her initial examination revealed tear instability with increased ocular surface staining scores and advanced tear film lipid layer abnormality in both eyes. Meibography showed bilateral total meibomian gland dropout. Treatment with autologous serum eye drops resulted in full epithelialization. Meibomian gland disease-specific therapy did not result in any change in breakup time, vital staining scores, tear film lipid layer interferometry grades, or glandular dropout state.

Eyelid Diseases↗
PubMed2004

Tear function and ocular surface findings in premature and term babies.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the ocular surface and tear function findings in premature and term babies. DESIGN: Prospective, case-control study. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-eight eyes of 24 premature babies seen at the Department of Ophthalmology of Uludag University School of Medicine, Bursa, Turkey, from March 2002 through September 2002 and 50 eyes of 25 healthy term babies were studied. INTERVENTION: The subjects underwent routine ophthalmic examinations; corneal sensitivity measurements; Schirmer test with anesthesia, with and without nasal stimulation; primary Jones test; fluorescein staining of the ocular surface; and conjunctival impression cytology. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Premature and term babies were compared for corneal sensitivity, lacrimal drainage system patency, tear function and ocular surface staining parameters, goblet cell density, and squamous metaplasia grade. The relation of these parameters to the status of the ocular surface was also investigated. RESULTS: Mean corneal sensitivity scores were 45+/-5.0 mm and 55+/-4.5 mm in the premature and term babies, respectively (P<0.001). Premature babies had a mean corneal fluorescein staining score of 1.5+/-0.25 points, compared with 0.22+/-0.28 points in the term babies (P<0.001). The mean Schirmer test scores without and with stimulation were 1.5+/-2.5 mm and 4.15+/-2.5 mm in the premature babies, respectively, compared with 15+/-3.5 mm and 18.75+/-4.5 mm in the term babies. The intragroup and intergroup Schirmer test scores were statistically significant (P<0.001). The primary Jones test was positive in 20.8% of the eyes in the premature babies, whereas it was positive in 84% of eyes in the term babies. The premature babies with positive primary Jones test results all had corneal epithelial defects or severe superficial punctuate keratopathy. Mean conjunctival impression cytology squamous metaplasia scores were 1.86+/-1.2 in the premature babies and 0.86+/-0.47 in the term babies (P<0.001). Mean goblet cell densities were 393+/-484 cells/mm(2) and 739+/-503 cells/mm(2) in the premature and term babies, respectively (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Decreased corneal sensitivity, reduced tearing, and lacrimal drainage patency are important determinants of ocular surface disease in premature infants. Premature newborns with low Schirmer test scores and a patent lacrimal system may experience corneal and conjunctival epithelial problems and should be carefully checked for the presence of dry eye complications.

Case-Control Studies↗
PubMed2004

Autologous serum application in the treatment of neurotrophic keratopathy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of autologous serum application for epithelial disorders in neurotrophic keratopathy (NK). DESIGN: Retrospective, noncomparative case series. PARTICIPANTS: Fourteen eyes of 11 patients with NK seen at Tokyo Dental College, Ichikawa General Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology, were studied. INTERVENTION: Twenty percent topical autologous serum eye drops were applied 5 to 10 times daily until resolution of the NK. Patients underwent routine ophthalmic examinations, including slit-lamp examination, corneal fluorescein dye testing, Cochet-Bonnet corneal sensitivity (Luneau, France), and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) measurements before and at the end of the treatment. Moreover, serum samples from 10 healthy volunteers were studied for the levels of substance P (SP), insulinlike growth factor (IGF-1), and nerve growth factor (NGF) by using radioimmunoassay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay techniques. Tear samples from 3 healthy subjects also were analyzed for NGF and IGF-1 levels by the same techniques. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The changes in corneal disease state, corneal sensitivity, and BCVA with treatment were evaluated. The levels of neural healing factors like SP, IGF-1, and NGF in serum as well as NGF and IGF-1 in tears of healthy subjects also were examined. RESULTS: The epithelial disorders healed completely in all eyes within 6 to 32 days (mean, 17.1+/-8.0 days), with a decrease in corneal scarring. The mean pretreatment corneal sensitivity was 11.8+/-11.6 mm, which increased to 30.0+/-22.9 mm after treatment at the last follow-up. Five eyes attained normal corneal sensitivity with treatment. The BCVA improved by >2 Landolt lines in 78.6% of the eyes. The mean concentrations of SP in diluted and undiluted serum were 31.4+/-8.4 pg/ml and 157.0+/-42.1 pg/ml, respectively. The mean respective concentrations of IGF-1 in diluted and undiluted serum were 31.4+/-14.8 ng/ml and 157.0+/-73.9 ng/ml. The mean concentrations for NGF were 93.6+/-63.5 pg/ml and 468.3+/-317.4 pg/ml in serum samples with and without dilution, respectively. The mean concentration of NGF in tears was found to be 54 pg/ml. Insulinlike growth factor 1 was not detected in tears in this study. CONCLUSIONS: Autologous serum harbors neurotrophic factors. Autologous serum treatment may provide neural healers to the compromised ocular surface and seems promising for the restoration of the ocular surface epithelial integrity in patients with NK.

Adult↗