Management of corneal neurotrophic ulcers with Cacicol®-RGTA (ReGeneraTing Agent): a case series

Abstract Purpose Neurotrophic corneal ulcers are difficult to treat and the conventional treatment often results in failure. A new matrix regenerative agent (“ReGeneraTing Agents”, RGTA), Cacicol® (Laboratoires Thea), has demonstrated good results over the last years. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the response to Cacicol® in a series of cases with corneal ulcers neurotrophic. Methods Retrospective case series. 11 patients with corneal ulcers unresponsive to conventional therapy underwent treatment with Cacicol®. One cycle included 1 drop every two days for 5 days. Results The range of conventional therapy prior to Cacicol® was 0–91 days. Upon introducing Cacicol® 82% (9/11) of the cases were cured and 18% (2/11) failed requiring an amniotic membrane transplant or penetrating keratoplasty. 67% (6/9) of the patients who had experienced healing required only one cycle of Cacicol®. 45% (5/11) patients needed more than one cycle of Cacicol®. One corneal bacterial ulcer responded favorably and one case related to Acanthamoeba failed. Most of the patients improved or maintained their visual acuity. Conclusion Cacicol® was a useful therapy in a high number of difficult neurotrophic corneal ulcers, including corneal infections. Some cases may require more than one cycle of Cacicol® or its immediate use to achieve the desired result.