{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,10]],"date-time":"2025-10-10T01:46:56Z","timestamp":1760060816806,"version":"build-2065373602"},"reference-count":30,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"18","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,9,19]],"date-time":"2025-09-19T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1758240000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["JCM"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Background\/Objectives: Corneal re-epithelialization is a critical process following surgical procedures such as photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK), and corneal UV cross-linking (CXL), as well as cases of corneal abrasion. Delayed epithelial healing can lead to increased discomfort, a higher risk of infection, and suboptimal visual outcomes. This retrospective case series aims to evaluate the efficacy of a novel ophthalmic solution containing cross-linked carboxymethyl cellulose (CX-CMC) and silk proteins in promoting corneal re-epithelialization and improving post-surgical recovery. Patients and methods: A total of 15 patients who underwent PRK, PTK, or CXL or who presented with corneal abrasions were included in the study. Along with standard post-surgical treatment, patients received CX-CMC and silk protein-based eye drops (CORDEV, Ophtagon, Rome, Italy) six times a day. Corneal epithelial thickness was assessed using topography at follow-up visits. Results: Corneal re-epithelialization was observed in all subjects within 24 to 48 h post-procedure. The mean corneal epithelial thickness at 48 h was 73.21 \u00b5m, which falls within the typical range of a proliferating corneal epithelium. Conclusions: The CX-CMC and silk protein-based formulation accelerated corneal healing, achieving rapid epithelial recovery. This novel ophthalmic solution offers a promising alternative to conventional post-surgical treatments, potentially improving patient outcomes by reducing healing time, minimising discomfort, and lowering the risk of complications associated with delayed re-epithelialization.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/jcm14186600","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,9,19]],"date-time":"2025-09-19T10:08:58Z","timestamp":1758276538000},"page":"6600","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Cross-Linked Carboxymethyl Cellulose and Silk Proteins in Corneal Re-Epithelialization: A Case Series"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"14","author":[{"given":"Francesco","family":"Boselli","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Ophthalmology, ASST Brianza, Vimercate Hospital, Via Santi Cosma e Damiano 10, 20871 Vimercate, Italy"},{"name":"Ophthalmology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitatio Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Universit\u00e0 Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Agostino Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Fabio","family":"Scarinci","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Ophthalmology Unit, San Giovanni-Addolorata Hospital, Via Santo Stefano Rotondo 6, 00184 Rome, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-0435-1612","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Romina","family":"Fasciani","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Ophthalmology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitatio Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Universit\u00e0 Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Agostino Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,9,19]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"190","DOI":"10.4103\/ijo.IJO_646_17","article-title":"Anatomy of cornea and ocular surface","volume":"66","author":"Sridhar","year":"2018","journal-title":"Indian. 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