Cold Plasma to Treat Therapy-Refractive Corneal Ulcers

Background The integrity of the ocular surface and the transparency of the cornea is crucial to obtain a good visual acuity - a requirement to actively participate in both social and professional environments. The homeostasis of the ocular surface is constantly endangered by microbes and by intrinsic factors with negative influence on wound healing. Furthermore, widespread use of contact lenses obtain a risk of corneal infection even resulting in corneal perforation and loss of the eye. Current therapies include topical and systemic antibiotics and antimycotics, often applied in an in-ward setting. Patients/Materials and Methods Some microbes can be therapy-resistent or -refractory and therefore cause a deterioration of the clinical aspect. In this study, the effects of cold plasma treatment of corneal ulcers on reduction of microbial load in vitro, in tissue ex vivo and in a therapy-refractory ulcer. Results In vitro, ex vivo and in the patient microbial load could be reduced or the clinical findings improved. Conclusions Plasma medicine and its disinfective properties could open a novel approach to treat microbial infections of the cornea. The can result in reduced treatment times, a faster demission of the patients and overall in a reduction of health care costs.