Efficacy of topical autologous serum versus preservative free artificial tears in patients having isotretinoin induced dry eye diseases

Introduction

Acne vulgaris is a commonly prevalent chronic skin condition affecting about 85% of teenagers and about two-thirds of adults aged 18 years or more, globally.^[1] Since, nearly half of India’s population falls within this age range, the prevalence of acne is considerably high. This inflammatory disorder of the sebaceous glands mainly presents with facial seborrhea, comedones, papules, pustules, nodules, pseudocysts and scarring, in severe forms.^[1] In India, the average age of onset for acne has been reported as 24.64 years.^[2] Various treatment options are available for acne vulgaris, including cleansers, moisturizers, Adapalene, Benzoyl Peroxide, antibiotics like clindamycin, and Retinoids. Retinoids are compounds that include natural and synthetic forms of vitamin A (such as retinol, retinal, and retinoic acid) and their derivatives.^[3] A form of 13-cis retinoic acid, Isotretinoin is a form of 13-cis retinoic acid, was approved by the US Food and Drug Authority (US FDA) in 1982 for the treatment of severe nodulocystic acne.^[4] In the usual oral dosage of 0.5 to 1.0 mg/kg per day, Isotretinoin works by reducing the size and activity of the sebaceous glands, thereby decreasing sebum production.^[5]

However, Isotretinoin has been associated with various ocular adverse effects, like, altered meibomian gland secretion, blepharoconjunctivitis, corneal opacities, increased tear osmolarity, keratitis, ocular discomfort, keratoconjunctivitis sicca, and photophobia. Among these, permanent keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye) is a likely distressing complication.^[6] Patients receiving Isotretinoin often complains dry eye symptoms which are in congruence with the definition of dry eye as provided by the second Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society's Dry Eye Workshop (TFOS DEWS II), 2017. Dry eye is described as a multifactorial disease of the affecting ocular surface, characterized by tear film instability, hyperosmolarity, inflammation, damage, and neurosensory dysfunction.^[7] Common symptoms include dryness, a foreign body sensation, and burning, which tend to worsen throughout the day. Other symptoms include discharge, blurred vision, redness, and eyelid crusting, all of which can significantly impact the patient’s quality of life.

Topical Autologous serum (AS), in the form of eye drops, has emerged as an effective treatment option for dry eye, especially in cases resistant to conventional therapies. In addition to its lubricant function, AS also contains biochemical components that more closely resemble natural tears, such as growth factors, vitamins, and immunoglobulins.^[8], ^[9], ^[10], ^[11] These components are known to hasten the healing of the ocular surface, providing a faster symptomatic relief. AS has, also, been shown to promote cell proliferation and migration, especially in corneal epithelial cells.^[12] Its use in treating dry eye was first described by Fox,^[13] and it has since been found beneficial for conditions like Neurotrophic Keratitis.^[14]

At our institute, AS, along with Preservative-Free Artificial Tears (PFAT), is routinely used to manage dry eye. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of AS compared to PFAT in treatment of Isotretinoin induced dry eye condition.

Materials and Methods

We conducted a prospective observational analytical study on patients experiencing dry eye due to systemic Isotretinoin therapy. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Ethics Committee. Acne patients treated with systemic Isotretinoin for >3 months were evaluated for presence of dry eye, using Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), Schirmer test (ST) I, Tear Break-up Time (TBUT) assessed with Fluorescein sodium solution 2%, with three readings averaged and National Eye Institute (NEI) corneal and conjunctival staining. Patients with an OSDI score >12, ST I <15 millimetres, TBUT <10 seconds and NEI corneal and conjunctival staining grade >0, were enrolled in the study, after obtaining a written informed consent. A thorough ophthalmic work-up was performed to exclude patients with pre-existing ocular pathologies or infections, a history of ocular herpes or dry eye prior to isotretinoin treatment, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, systemic conditions such as Sjogren’s syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis, regular contact lens use, smoking history, use of medications affecting tear production, severe anaemia (haemoglobin < 10 g/dL), and those who were HIV, HBsAg, or HCV positive.

The sample size was determined using the Charan and Biswas (2013) formula, resulting in a required sample of 86 participants. Allowing for a 10% data loss, the final sample size was adjusted to 88 patients.

After thorough ocular examination, 97 patients (182 eyes) were included in the study. Participants were divided into two groups based on their prescribed treatment: the Preservative-Free Artificial Tears (PFAT) group and the Autologous Serum (AS) group. The PFAT group was prescribed artificial tear vials to be instilled six times daily for three months, with instructions to store the vials in a cool, dark place.

For the AS group, patients underwent serological testing and provided informed consent. A 20 ml sample of venous blood was collected, allowed to rest at room temperature for two hours, and then centrifuged at 4°C at 4000 RPM for 10 minutes under sterile conditions. The serum was diluted with isotonic saline to prepare 40% solution and was dispensed in multiple commercially available empty eye drop vials (2.4 ml each) with pre-formed drop nozzle. Patients were instructed to use AS four times daily, along with artificial tears (0.5% Carboxy methyl Cellulose) twice daily. Patients were also advised to store the currently used vial in the refrigerator at 4°C, to be discarded after five days, and stock rest of the vials in a freezer at -20°C for no more than 3 months. Before use, the vials needed to be thawed at 4°C. All the instructions were provided to the patients in vernacular language in printed form to ensure proper AS vial storage and usage as well as ocular hygiene.

Follow-up assessments were conducted at 15 days, 1 month, 2 months, and 3 months.

Results

Distributions of patients with dry eye due to systemic isotretinoin therapy into PFAT group and AS group are depicted in [Table 1]. The mean age was not significantly different between the two treatment groups as shown in [Table 2]. The gender distribution among either treatment groups was also not found significantly different ([Table 3]). The baseline mean ST (mm), TBUT(Sec), OSDI Scoring, and NEI scoring of corneal and conjunctival stain was also not significantly different between the groups (p = 0.111). Moreover, the mean Schirmer's (mm) TBUT(Sec), OSDI Scoring, and NEI scoring of corneal and conjunctival stain at 15 days, 1 month, 2 months, and 3 months were significantly higher in the AS group as compared to the PFAT group (p < 0.001). The result is elaborated in detail in [Table 4] and [Figure 1], [Figure 2], [Figure 3], [Figure 4].

Discussion

In this study, the We found higher mean Schirmer in the AS group as compared to the PFAT group at 15 days, 1 month, 2 months, and 3 months. Similar trends were observed by Rawat et al. (2022) ^[15], Noda-Tsuruya et al. (2006),^[16] and Wang et al. (2020).^[17] In agreement with the observations of the other researchers like Celebi et al. (2014),^[18] Jirsova et al. ^[19], Hussain,^[20] and Garcia-Conca et al. (2018)^[21] present study, found a significant improvement in Schirmer's test treated with autologous serum/ platelet rich plasma, compared to artificial tears alone. Furthermore, Karalezli et al. (2009)^[22] and Tsubota et al. (1996)^[23] demonstrated that Schirmer's test performed after the application of 0.5% proparacaine hydrochloride eye drops was more accurate and reliable for assessing dry eye status than the test without anesthesia.

Additionally, the mean TBUT in the AS group was significantly higher than that in the PFAT group at all follow-up assessments (15 days, 1 month, 2 months, and 3 months). Rawat et al. (2022)^[15] similarly noted a significant improvement in TBUT after 3 months in the autologous platelet-rich plasma (aPRP) group (P < 0.001), while the improvement in the artificial tear group was not significant (P = 0.058). Comparable results were reported by Celebi et al. (2014),^[18] Noda-Tsuruya et al. (2006),^[16] Yilmaz (2017),^[24] Wang et al. (2020),^[17] Alio et al.,^[25] and Valim et al.^[26]

Regarding NEI grading for corneal staining, the Autologous Serum group showed significantly lower scores compared to the Preservative-Free Artificial Tear group across all time points. Garcia-Conca et al. (2018)^[21] reported a 50% reduction in corneal staining in the PRP group after 15 days of treatment, a reduction that was less pronounced in the artificial tear group. Kojima et al. (2005)^[27] also observed significant improvement in patients managed by AS as compared to those treated with saline solution, while Alio et al. (2017)^[25] found that 76.1% of patients exhibited reduced fluorescein staining, with at least a one-point drop on the modified Oxford scale, indicating improvement.

Furthermore, the mean OSDI scores were significantly better in the Autologous Serum group at all follow-up points. Rawat et al. (2022)^[15] found a significantly lower OSDI score in the autologous PRP group (P < 0.001). Consistent findings were observed by Alio et al. (2017),^[25] Sanchez-Avila et al. (2017),^[28] and Merayo-Lloves et al. (2017).^[29] Celebi et al.^[18] reported a 55.18% reduction in OSDI scores in the Autologous Serum group (P < 0.001) compared to the Preservative-Free Artificial Tear group. Yilmaz et al.,^[24] in a study on dry eye caused by systemic Isotretinoin therapy, found a significant reduction in OSDI scores in both the Autologous Serum and Preservative-Free Artificial Tear groups, with a greater reduction in the Autologous Serum group (P < 0.0001). Wang et al. (2020)^[17] also concluded that OSDI scores were lower following Autologous Serum treatment compared to artificial tear treatment.

However, Urzua et al.^[30] did not find Autologous Serum superior to artificial tears in terms of tear film break-up time (TBUT), Schirmer's test, or fluorescein staining for dry eye treatment. Noble et al. (2004)^[31] also observed improvements in impression cytology in the Autologous Serum group but noted no significant differences in Rose-Bengal staining, Schirmer's test, or TBUT outcomes.

A limitation of the current study was the lack of refrigeration facilities among many participants due to their lower socioeconomic status, which impacted the proper storage of Autologous Serum.

Conclusions

Patients on systemic Isotretinoin therapy undergo treatment for 3 months during which they develop dry eye. Autologous Serum eye drops (AS) have a potential benefit over standard treatments in case of dry eye due to systemic Isotretinoin therapy since they not only act as a lubricant replacement but also contain additional biochemical components that allow them to resemble natural tears more precisely. It is a cost-efficient alternative to Artificial tears alone.

Source of Funding

None.

Conflict of Interest

None.