Patient-reported outcome measures for a large cohort of serum eye drops recipients in the UK

INTRODUCTION: Serum eye drops (SED) are an important treatment for patients with chronic and severe ocular surface disease (OSD). Despite a long history of use, there is a paucity of information on patient-reported outcomes, particularly comparing autologous SED (Auto-SED) and allogeneic SED (Allo-SED). National Health Service Blood and Transplant is the national provider of SED service for patients in the UK.

PURPOSE: To evaluate and compare patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in patients receiving Auto-SED and Allo-SED for severe OSD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: PROMs were retrospectively collected from all new patients commencing treatment with Auto-SED and Allo-SED between January 2017 and September 2018, using the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) 12-item questionnaire. A linear mixed model was used to evaluate the change in OSDI scores between baseline and follow-up.

RESULTS: During the study period, 279 patients who received either Auto-SED (n = 71) or Allo-SED (n = 208) were included in the analysis. Baseline and follow-up OSDI scores were available for 161 of these (49 Auto-SED and 112 Allo-SED). There was a significant reduction in mean OSDI score for both Auto-SED (59.06-24.63, p < 0.001) and Allo-SED (64.21-34.37, p < 0.001). There was no significant difference between Auto-SED and Allo-SED patients in terms of the reduction in the OSDI score (p = 0.27).

CONCLUSION: Both Auto-SED and Allo-SED were associated with improvements in the quality of life of patients with chronic and severe OSD. Auto-SED and Allo-SED were equally effective in relieving the symptoms of OSD.