Dexpanthenol/sodium hyaluronate eye drops for corneal epithelial healing following corneal cross-linking in patients with keratoconus


Sabur H., Acar M.

International Ophthalmology, cilt.43, sa.10, ss.3461-3469, 2023 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 43 Sayı: 10
  • Basım Tarihi: 2023
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s10792-023-02751-w
  • Dergi Adı: International Ophthalmology
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, EMBASE
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.3461-3469
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Corneal cross-linking, Dexpanthenol, Sodium hyaluronate, Epithelial healing, In vivo confocal microscopy
  • Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of dexpanthenol 2%/sodium hyaluronate 0.15% eye drops on corneal epithelial healing and corneal microstructural changes following corneal cross-linking (CXL) in patients with keratoconus. Methods: The study included 42 eyes of 21 patients with keratoconus who underwent CXL on both eyes. One eye of each patient was instilled dexpanthenol 2%/sodium hyaluronate 0.15% eye drops (DP/SH group) and the fellow eye was instilled unpreserved sodium hyaluronate 0.15% eye drops (SH group). The epithelial healing process was assessed every day until complete reepithelialization was achieved. The in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) findings were also recorded. Results: The mean epithelial defect size 48.6 ± 6.7 mm2 for the DP/SH group and 48.2 ± 5.3 mm2 for the SH group. Complete reepithelialization was seen after 2.24 ± 0.44 days (range 2–4 days) in the DP/SH group and 3.43 ± 0.60 days (3 to 5 days) in the SH group. Posterior keratocyte density and endothelial cell density were similar in both groups. The mean subbasal nerve plexus density was significantly higher in the DP/SH group (postoperative 1 month: 1.13 ± 1.51, 3 months: 3.53 ± 2.55, 6 months: 7.07 ± 1.42) compared to the SH group (postoperative 1 month: 0.87 ± 1.43, 3 months: 2.89 ± 2.62, 6 months 6.33 ± 1.29). The DP/SH group revealed faster subbasal nerve regeneration and less edema compared to the SH group. Conclusion: Dexpanthenol 2%/sodium hyaluronate 0.15% eye drops were effective and safe for corneal epithelial healing, and promoted faster corneal reepithelialization, nerve regeneration, and keratocyte repopulation with reduced corneal edema compared to sodium hyaluronate eye drops.