Use of topical insulin to treat refractory neurotrophic corneal ulcers
Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of topical insulin drops in the treatment of refractory neurotrophic keratitis (NK). Materials and Methods: Eight patients with NK refractory to standard medical treatment were selected. Topical insulin drop was prepared by mixing reg...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Journal of Clinical Ophthalmology and Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/jcor.jcor_208_24 |
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| author | Suchitra Kumari Antabha Bandyopadhyay Taruni Kumari |
| author_facet | Suchitra Kumari Antabha Bandyopadhyay Taruni Kumari |
| author_sort | Suchitra Kumari |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Aim:
The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of topical insulin drops in the treatment of refractory neurotrophic keratitis (NK).
Materials and Methods:
Eight patients with NK refractory to standard medical treatment were selected. Topical insulin drop was prepared by mixing regular insulin in artificial tears with polyethylene glycol and propylene glycol base at a concentration of 1 unit/ml and was prescribed four times daily along with bandage contact lens application. Treatment was continued until persistent epithelial defect (PED) or ulcer resolved and was tapered accordingly. The primary outcome was complete resolution of PED or ulcer. Best corrected visual acuity was assessed and anterior segment photographs were taken.
Results:
Seven out of 8 eyes showed complete resolution of NK. One of the patient's epithelial defects improved significantly although the wound did not heal completely. No side-effects were reported during the treatment period.
Conclusions:
Topical insulin may prove to be a simple and effective treatment for refractory NK. This therapy may be extremely useful due to its low cost and high accessibility. Further study is required to determine the clinical efficacy and side effect profile of insulin drops. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7d171836cd894dd9b2b3a4f51cbf009e |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2320-3897 2320-3900 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Clinical Ophthalmology and Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-7d171836cd894dd9b2b3a4f51cbf009e2025-08-20T02:32:04ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsJournal of Clinical Ophthalmology and Research2320-38972320-39002025-04-0113220520810.4103/jcor.jcor_208_24Use of topical insulin to treat refractory neurotrophic corneal ulcersSuchitra KumariAntabha BandyopadhyayTaruni KumariAim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of topical insulin drops in the treatment of refractory neurotrophic keratitis (NK). Materials and Methods: Eight patients with NK refractory to standard medical treatment were selected. Topical insulin drop was prepared by mixing regular insulin in artificial tears with polyethylene glycol and propylene glycol base at a concentration of 1 unit/ml and was prescribed four times daily along with bandage contact lens application. Treatment was continued until persistent epithelial defect (PED) or ulcer resolved and was tapered accordingly. The primary outcome was complete resolution of PED or ulcer. Best corrected visual acuity was assessed and anterior segment photographs were taken. Results: Seven out of 8 eyes showed complete resolution of NK. One of the patient's epithelial defects improved significantly although the wound did not heal completely. No side-effects were reported during the treatment period. Conclusions: Topical insulin may prove to be a simple and effective treatment for refractory NK. This therapy may be extremely useful due to its low cost and high accessibility. Further study is required to determine the clinical efficacy and side effect profile of insulin drops.https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/jcor.jcor_208_24bandage contact lensbest corrected visual acuityneurotrophic keratitispersistent epithelial defecttopical insulin drops |
| spellingShingle | Suchitra Kumari Antabha Bandyopadhyay Taruni Kumari Use of topical insulin to treat refractory neurotrophic corneal ulcers Journal of Clinical Ophthalmology and Research bandage contact lens best corrected visual acuity neurotrophic keratitis persistent epithelial defect topical insulin drops |
| title | Use of topical insulin to treat refractory neurotrophic corneal ulcers |
| title_full | Use of topical insulin to treat refractory neurotrophic corneal ulcers |
| title_fullStr | Use of topical insulin to treat refractory neurotrophic corneal ulcers |
| title_full_unstemmed | Use of topical insulin to treat refractory neurotrophic corneal ulcers |
| title_short | Use of topical insulin to treat refractory neurotrophic corneal ulcers |
| title_sort | use of topical insulin to treat refractory neurotrophic corneal ulcers |
| topic | bandage contact lens best corrected visual acuity neurotrophic keratitis persistent epithelial defect topical insulin drops |
| url | https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/jcor.jcor_208_24 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT suchitrakumari useoftopicalinsulintotreatrefractoryneurotrophiccornealulcers AT antabhabandyopadhyay useoftopicalinsulintotreatrefractoryneurotrophiccornealulcers AT tarunikumari useoftopicalinsulintotreatrefractoryneurotrophiccornealulcers |