Sustained long-term benefits of autologous subconjunctival platelet-rich plasma injections for severe dry eye disease

Dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial condition that significantly impairs patients' quality of life, particularly in its severe forms, which are often unresponsive to conventional therapies. In this retrospective study, we evaluated the long-term efficacy and safety of subconjunctival platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections in six Hispanic women with refractory DED. A total of eleven eyes were treated with a standardized protocol consisting of five PRP injections - three administered monthly, followed by two spaced two months apart - and followed for a period of 12 months. Clinical assessments included both subjective and objective measures, such as the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), Schirmer test, tear breakup time (BUT), and ocular surface staining with fluorescein and lissamine green. Significant and sustained improvements were observed across all parameters throughout the follow-up period, and no serious adverse events were reported. Notably, this is the first study to demonstrate that subconjunctival PRP injections may provide long-term symptomatic relief in patients with refractory DED. These findings suggest that this novel, well-tolerated, and accessible therapeutic approach may represent a promising alternative for individuals who do not respond to conventional treatments and warrant further investigation in larger populations.