To compare autologous platelet-rich plasma (APRP) with autologous serum eye drop (ASED) in corneal persistent epithelial defects (PED).

35 eyes of 32 patients with persistent epithelial defect at the Khatam-Al-Anbia eye hospital of Mashhad University of medical science between 2012 and 2014 enrolled in the study, randomly. Nineteen eyes treated by APRP and the other sixteen eyes treated by ASED 20 %. The treatment applied for patients with persistent epithelial defects that did not respond to any other conventional therapy including lubrication, preservative free medication, tarsorrhaphy and punctal plug. Patients examined before, one week and one month after the treatment. Examinations included BCVA, symptoms (pain and photophobia) and slit lamp examination with defect size measurement. Before treatment, mean PED size in APRP group was 65.5 mm2 and in ASED group was 38.97 mm2.

In APRP-treated group, 9 patients had complete healing, 6 ones had partial healing and treatment failed in two patients. Recovery time in this group was 1 to 6 week (mean 3.54 week). In ASED group, 6 patients healed completely, 10 patients partially healed and no patient was failed to treat. Recovery time was 2 to 5 week (mean 3.31 week). There was no significant difference in BCVA, pain, photophobia and slit lamp parameters between two groups before and after treatment. Considering initial PED size and time to response, healing rate was faster in APRP group.

ASED and APRP both are effective in corneal epithelial defect. This study showed no significant difference in BCVA changes, recovery time, slit lamp parameters and symptoms improvement between these two medications.