Platelet-rich plasma for treating dry eye disease - A systematic review and meta-analysis

• Published in: Contact lens & anterior eye 2024-02, Vol.47 (1), p.102091-102091, Article 102091
• Main Authors: Kwaku Akowuah, Prince, Junior Obinwanne, Chukwuemeka, Owusu, Ebenezer, Kyeremeh, Sylvester, Bonsu, Kwaku, Karikari, Lucy Akua Afriyie, Akyaa Akomeah, Felicia, Kyei Nkansah, Ernest, Kobia-Acquah, Emmanuel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Dry Eye Syndromes - metabolism; Dry Eye Syndromes - therapy; Humans; Platelet-Rich Plasma - metabolism; Prospective Studies; Quality of Life
• ISSN: 1367-0484; 1476-5411
• DOI: 10.1016/j.clae.2023.102091

Dry eye disease has public health and economic significance. Platelet-rich plasma is rich in anti-inflammatory agents and growth factors, both beneficial for ocular surface repair. This study aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to summarize the benefits of platelet-rich plasma for treating dry eye disease and its adverse effects. Prospective comparative studies using platelet-rich plasma as monotherapy for dry eye disease were included for efficacy assessment. Before-after studies were included for adverse events assessment. Data sources included PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Scopus. A systematic review and meta-analysis protocol was pre-registered on PROSPERO (CRD42022347982). PRISMA guidelines were followed. The National Health Institute (NIH) quality assessment tool for before-after studies, the Cochrane risk of bias tool (RoB2), and the methodological index for non-randomized studies were used to assess the risk of bias. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I statistic. 19 studies (10 comparative and 9 before-after) were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. The occurrence rate of adverse effects was 2.6 % (95 % CI: 0.5 - 4.7). The pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) for dry eye symptoms was 0.81 (95 % CI: 0.25 - 1.37; I  = 82 %; p