Actualización en hemoderivados para el manejo de alteraciones de la superficie ocular

The use of blood derived eye drops for the treatment of ocular surface disorders has become increasingly popular in recent years due to its stimulation of migration and cellular proliferation. They have shown efficacy in severe dry eye and also in recurrent corneal erosion, persistent corneal epithelial defect, corneal ulcers and chemical burns. Its mechanism of action is based on supply of growth factors and cytokines at the ocular surface, thus mimicking the function of the natural tears. Among overall blood derived eye drops, there are both autologous and homologous products, with different advantages and disadvantages. Autologous serum was the first one, and is the most commonly used product. Allogeneic serum and umbilical cord blood serum are efficient alternatives, especially when autologous serum therapy is contraindicated or not appropriate. Platelet-derived eye drops (platelet-rich plasma, plasma rich in growth factors, and platelet lysate) evidence good results, with efficacy and safety, and are used in the same indications that autologous serum. Future perspectives of blood-derived products include the introduction of personal treatments, screening for the proper content of growth factors and cytokines according the ocular surface disease for each patient