Fibronectin. A new therapy for corneal trophic ulcer.

Fibronectin, a glycoprotein, is present in plasma and extracellular matrix and is responsible for cellular adhesion. With the use of affinity chromatography, we purified plasma fibronectin from two patients with trophic corneal ulcer and persistent epithelial defect after conventional therapy was ineffective. Reepithelialization began three days after initiation of treatment with autologous purified fibronectin eyedrops, and the epithelial defects disappeared completely within three weeks. No recurrence was observed after treatment ended. By modifying the original chromatographic procedure, we were able to obtain purified fibronectin in two hours, which allowed us to treat outpatients as well as inpatients.