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Presentation type	E-poster
Title	The Role of Topical Insulin on Ocular Surface Restoration

Purpose	To report the clinical course of 4 patients with refractory neurotrophic corneal ulcers treated with topical insulin drops.
Methods	A retrospective chart review was performed of patients treated with insulin drops for neurotrophic corneal ulcers unresponsive to standard medical treatment. Insulin drops were prepared by mixing regular insulin in artificial tears with a polyethylene glycol and propylene glycol base at a concentration of 1 unit per mL, and were prescribed 4-8 times daily.
Results	our patients, 54 to 93 years of age, developed neurotrophic corneal ulcers from different aetiologies, including herpetic keratitis, nVII palsy and ocular surgery. The patients were refractive to multiple medical treatment options. Each patient was started on topical insulin drops, and a complete corneal re-epithelialization was observed within 7 to 30 days. No side effects related to the use of the drops were observed.
Conclusion	Topical insulin may be a simple and effective therapy for neurotrophic corneal ulcers unresponsive to conventional ocular surface treatment. Other advantages of the drops include an excellent tolerance, availability and cost-effectiveness. Further study is needed to confirm these benefits and to understand its mechanisms.
Conflict of interest	No

Authors 1

Last name	SEDER
Initials	A
Department	Department of Medicine and Pharmacology, Vrije Universiteit Brussels, Belgium
City	Brussels

Authors 2

Last name	KROLO
Initials	I.
Department	Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Brussels, Jette, Belgium
City	Brussels

Authors 3

Last name	BEHAEGEL
Initials	J.
Department	Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Brussels, Jette, Belgium
City	Brussels

Authors 4

Last name	TERMOTE
Initials	K.
Department	Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Brussels, Jette, Belgium
City	Brussels

Authors 5

Last name	NI DHUBHGHAILL
Initials	S.
Department	Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Brussels, Jette, Belgium
City	Brussels

Authors 6

Last name	NI DHUBHGHAILL
Initials	S.
Department	Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
City	Antwerp