Background: Recent studies have shown how the topical application of nerve growth factor (NGF) has led to the repair of neurotrophic corneal ulcers with recovery of corneal surface sensitivity. The biological effect of NGF, at a corneal level, is mediated by the presence of specific receptors localized on the surfaces of the corneal and conjunctival cells Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of NGF to promote corneal wound healing after cataract surgery. Methods: Thirty patients were divided in two group (group A and group B) and underwent cataract surgery. After surgery patients in group A received one drop of NGF solution) in the conjunctival fornix every 2 hours (from 6 am to 12 pm) for two weeks and then 4 times a day for another week. The patients in group B received one drop of hyaluronic acid 0.2% eye drops in the conjunctival fornix every 2 hours for two weeks and then 4 times a day for another week. We evaluated with optical coherent tomography (OCT) the corneal thickness at the side of the surgical wound, the endothelial cell count and the incision line in the stroma 1, 7, 21 days after surgery. Results: Before surgery in group A and in group B the endothelial cell count was 2607.4±261.0 vs 2602.0±266.6 (p<0.991) and the temporal cornea edge thickness was 639.2±24.7µ vs 644.4±31.9µ (p<0.605) respectively. At 24 hours after surgery, the results were: 2523.2±280.5 vs 2528.2±235.7 (p<0.988) and 804.4±29.5µ vs 802.6±35.0µ (p<0.953). After 7 days the cell count values were: 2511.4±229.8 vs 2490.0±230.4 (p<0.361) and corneal thickness 713.6±16.5µ vs 771.4±36.5µ (p<0.047). Finally, 21 days after surgery, the number of endothelial cells was 2540.2±237.3 vs 2503.4±224.5 (p<0.382) and corneal thickness 645.2±22.6µ vs 704.2±11.8µ (p<0.002). In the patients treated with NGF, at day 21, we found a complete wound healing and the stromal incision was not visible. Conclusions: This clinical experience it can be stated that the topical administration of NGF is effective in accelerating the healing of surgical corneal wounds.
The use of Nerve Growth Factor in Surgical Wound Healing of the Cornea / CELLINI M.; BENDO E.; BRAVETTI G.O.; CAMPOS E.C.. - In: OPHTHALMIC RESEARCH. - ISSN 0030-3747. - STAMPA. - 38:4(2006), pp. 177-181. [10.1159/000092626]
The use of Nerve Growth Factor in Surgical Wound Healing of the Cornea
CELLINI, MAURO;BENDO, EDLIRA;CAMPOS, EMILIO
2006
Abstract
Background: Recent studies have shown how the topical application of nerve growth factor (NGF) has led to the repair of neurotrophic corneal ulcers with recovery of corneal surface sensitivity. The biological effect of NGF, at a corneal level, is mediated by the presence of specific receptors localized on the surfaces of the corneal and conjunctival cells Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of NGF to promote corneal wound healing after cataract surgery. Methods: Thirty patients were divided in two group (group A and group B) and underwent cataract surgery. After surgery patients in group A received one drop of NGF solution) in the conjunctival fornix every 2 hours (from 6 am to 12 pm) for two weeks and then 4 times a day for another week. The patients in group B received one drop of hyaluronic acid 0.2% eye drops in the conjunctival fornix every 2 hours for two weeks and then 4 times a day for another week. We evaluated with optical coherent tomography (OCT) the corneal thickness at the side of the surgical wound, the endothelial cell count and the incision line in the stroma 1, 7, 21 days after surgery. Results: Before surgery in group A and in group B the endothelial cell count was 2607.4±261.0 vs 2602.0±266.6 (p<0.991) and the temporal cornea edge thickness was 639.2±24.7µ vs 644.4±31.9µ (p<0.605) respectively. At 24 hours after surgery, the results were: 2523.2±280.5 vs 2528.2±235.7 (p<0.988) and 804.4±29.5µ vs 802.6±35.0µ (p<0.953). After 7 days the cell count values were: 2511.4±229.8 vs 2490.0±230.4 (p<0.361) and corneal thickness 713.6±16.5µ vs 771.4±36.5µ (p<0.047). Finally, 21 days after surgery, the number of endothelial cells was 2540.2±237.3 vs 2503.4±224.5 (p<0.382) and corneal thickness 645.2±22.6µ vs 704.2±11.8µ (p<0.002). In the patients treated with NGF, at day 21, we found a complete wound healing and the stromal incision was not visible. Conclusions: This clinical experience it can be stated that the topical administration of NGF is effective in accelerating the healing of surgical corneal wounds.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
