Abstract

STUDY DESIGN
Case series

PURPOSE
To determine the role of insulin eye drops for the treatment of non-healing corneal ulcer.

METHOD
This study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in South Asia with patients presenting with persistent corneal ulcers despite application of topical antibiotics atleast for a period of one month. Detailed ophthalmolmic evaluation was done and systemic predisposong factors were considered. Patients were treated with regular insulin eye drops (25IU/ml) starting with a dose of 6 times daily and tapered over a period of 6 to 8 weeks. Systemic side effects of insulin were monitored.

RESULTS
Signs of a healing corneal ulcer were noticed in all the patients within a period of one week following treatment and complete resolution was noted in 6 to 8 weeks following treatment.

CONCLUSION
Topical insulin can be considered in patients with long standing corneal ulcers irrespective of systemic predisposing factors.