Efficacy of topical insulin for recurrent epithelial corneal erosions

Topical insulin can promote and accelerate corneal regeneration, even in eyes with serious comorbidities, and offers several benefits over other treatment options.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of topical insulin in treatment of recurrent epithelial corneal erosion.

Patients with recurrent epithelial erosions were included in a prospective non-randomized hospital-based study, divided into two groups, one of them received persistent epithelial defects (PEDs) conventional treatment and the other received the same treatment with insulin eye drops 4 times/day. All patients were examined carefully by slit lamp. Patients during the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th weeks as well as after 2 months. Demographics, etiology, therapy, comorbidities, and the healing time of PED were performed.

Area shows significant improvement after 2 weeks (p = 0.006), 2 months (p = 0.046), and 3 months (p = 0.002) in group II (cornetears gel and topical insulin) as compared to group I (cornetears gel). The recurrence was statistically significant decreased with cornetears gel and topical insulin (group II) by 0.0%, as compared to cornetears gel (group I) by 3 patients (21.4%).

Topical insulin can promote corneal reepithelization in recurrent epithelial erosion and decreases recurrence in these cases. Other advantages include excellent tolerance, availability, and cost-effectiveness.