Table 1.

Medical treatments for recurrent corneal erosion

Medical treatment	Description	Examples	Indication	Prophylaxis
Artificial tears	Preservative-free lubricating eye drops that function as first-line therapy	Preservative free Refresh®, Systane®, TheraTears®, Retaine®	Acute attack Chronic episodes	Yes
Oral non-steroidal anti- inflammatory drugs and/or cycloplegia	Pain relief	Acetaminophen Ibuprofen Cycloplegia drops	Acute attack	No
Antibiotics	Infection treatment and/or prevention	Fluoroquinolone drop (eg, ofloxacin) Macrolide ointment (eg, erythromycin)	Acute attack	No
Nighttime ointment	Long-term lubrication	Systane® Refresh®	Chronic episodes	Yes
Hypertonic sodium chloride	A hypertonic sodium chloride ointment that draws excess water out of the cornea	Muro 128® Sochlor™ OcuFresh® AK-NaCl	Chronic episodes	Yes
Punctal occlusion	Increases tear lake	Collagen plugs Silicon plugs	Failed lubrication	Yes
Soft bandage contact lens	Pain relief, aids in epithelial healing	Air Optix Night & Day® Kontur®	Acute attack Failed lubrication and punctal occlusion	No
Blood serum drops	Supplies growth factors and cytokines to the ocular surface, thus mimicking natural tears	Autologous Allogenic Umbilical cord	Failed lubrication and punctal occlusion	No
Cryopreserved amniotic membrane	Encourages regrowth in vital, damaged areas	ProKera®	Acute attack Failed lubrication and punctal occlusion	No
MMP inhibitors	Works to prevent the breakdown of vital collagen and hemi- desmosomes by stunting the production of the enzyme MMP-9	Systemic tetracyclines (eg, doxycycline 50 mg BID)	Failed lubrication and punctal occlusion	Yes
Topical corticosteroids	Reduce inflammation	Loteprednol Fluorometholone Prednisolone acetate	Failed lubrication and punctal occlusion	Yes

Note: Examples of each treatment are listed as well as the description, indication, and whether they can be used for prophylaxis.

Abbreviation: MMP, matrix metalloproteinase.