In this study, the effectiveness of autologous serum on corneal endothelium in alkaline burns of the cornea was investigated.

Alkaline burns lead to severe trauma on the cornea. Cornea healing is quite difficult and complicated. Endothelial layer is responsible for preserving transparency of the cornea. Repair of the cell injury in the endothelial layer is achieved through migration of healthy cells to the injured area. Autologous serum reduces injury of the endothelial layer through inhibiting collagenase activity and accelerating cell migration.

In the study, a total of 21 New Zealand rabbits were divided into 3 groups, 7 in each group. Alkaline burn was created in the right eyes with 2N NaOH in groups II and III under general anesthesia and saline solution was administered in group II and autologous serum was administered in group III four times a day for 21 days. In group I, autologous serum was administered four times a day for 21 days without creating alkaline burn. At the end of 21^th day, corneas of the decapitated rabbits were removed and histopathologically examined. Endothelial defect areas and endothelial cell loss were lower in group III compared to group II. In this study, it is suggested that the use of autologous serum was seen to be effective on the healing of the endothelium in the alkaline induced corneal burns.