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Updated: Mar 28, 2026
Production of Modified Autologous Conditioned Serum and Ex Vivo Assessment of Its Healing Potential in Murine Corneal Epithelium
Published on: March 24, 2023
Treatment of Refractory Filamentary Keratitis With Autologous Serum Tears
Sarah P Read1, Marianeli Rodriguez, Sander Dubovy
1Department of Ophthalmology (S.P.R., M.R., S.D., C.L.K., A.G.), Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL; and Department of Ophthalmology (A.G.), Miami Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL.
Purpose:
To report a case of filamentary keratitis (FK) successfully treated with autologous serum tears and to review the pathogenesis and management of FK.
Methods:
Case report including high-resolution anterior segment optical coherence tomography and filament histopathology.
Case Report:
A 61-year-old Hispanic man presented with pain and photophobia of the right eye. He was found to have a corneal epithelial defect and a small peripheral infiltrate 4 months after Laser Assisted in situ Keratomileusis. After resolution of the epithelial defect, he developed FK. Over a 4-month period, conservative management with aggressive lubrication, lid hygiene, topical corticosteroids, topical cyclosporine, bandage contact lenses, and oral doxycycline failed to resolve the corneal filaments. Notably, treatment with 20% autologous serum tears, four times daily, led to a sustained resolution of the FK within 1 week.
Conclusions:
This case demonstrates the complexity of FK management and introduces autologous serum tears as a viable management option when conservative approaches to this condition fail.
