Recovery of the Corneal Stroma Associated With Rapid Reepithelialization Induced by the Fibronectin-Derived Peptide PHSRN in 2 Cases of Corneal Perforation Due to a Persistent Epithelial Defect.

PURPOSE: To report 2 cases of corneal perforation associated with a persistent epithelial defect (PED), which were treated with eye drops containing the fibronectin-derived peptide PHSRN (Pro-His-Ser-Arg-Asn).

METHODS

A 67-year-old man and a 58-year-old man presented with corneal perforation associated with a PED caused by lagophthalmos. PHSRN eye drops were administered 4 times a day to both patients.

RESULTS

Both patients experienced healing of the epithelial defect and closure of corneal perforation within 3 or 4 days after the onset of PHSRN treatment. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography also revealed recovery of corneal stromal thickness at the lesion site.

CONCLUSIONS

PHSRN eye drops were effective for the treatment of corneal perforation due to the PED, with rapid reepithelialization being followed by full restoration of stromal thickness.