Looking for a tear solution that actually works like your own tears? Autologous serum tears are sterile eye drops made from your own blood serum, prescribed by eyecare professionals to treat severe dry eye disease and other ocular surface problems.
In the next few minutes, you'll discover how they differ from regular drops, what they can treat, how they're prepared, where to get them, how much they cost, and what the research saysso you can decide if they're right for you.
Why Choose Serum Tears
How do they differ from regular artificial tears?
Most over-the-counter drops are made of synthetic polymers that simply lubricate the eye. Autologous serum tears, on the other hand, contain growth factors, vitamins, and electrolytes that are naturally present in healthy tears. This makes the drops' osmolarity and pH much closer to what your eye expects, helping the surface heal rather than just staying moist.
What conditions can they treat?
These drops shine when standard lubricants fall short. Typical uses include:
- Moderate to severe dry eye disease, especially when associated with Sjgren's syndrome.
- Persistent epithelial defects and neurotrophic keratitis.
- Postoperative healing after procedures like LASIK, cataract surgery, or corneal transplantation.
What are the proven benefits?
Clinical trials have shown that patients using autologous serum tears experience:
- Faster closure of corneal epithelial defects.
- Improved tear film stability (higher TBUT scores).
- Significant reductions in symptom scores such as the OSDI.
How They're Made
Step-by-step preparation
Even though the process sounds like a lab experiment, it's straightforward for a certified compounding pharmacy:
- Draw 20-60 ml of blood (no fasting required).
- Centrifuge the sample to separate the serum.
- Dilute the serum with sterile saline to a concentration of 20-50% (your doctor decides which is best).
- Filter the mixture and fill sterile dropper bottles under aseptic conditions.
- Label and refrigerate at 2-8C.
FAQ snapshot for quick reference
- Can I make them at home? Noonly certified compounding labs can guarantee sterility.
- Do I need a prescription? Yes, a licensed ophthalmologist or optometrist must write it.
- How often should I use them? Typically 4-6 times a day at the start, then taper as advised.
FAQs
How are autologous serum tears prepared?
Blood is drawn (20‑60 ml), centrifuged to separate the serum, diluted with sterile saline (20‑50 %), filtered, and bottled under aseptic conditions by a certified compounding pharmacy.
Who is a good candidate for autologous serum tears?
Patients with moderate‑to‑severe dry‑eye disease, Sjögren’s syndrome, persistent epithelial defects, neurotrophic keratitis, or post‑surgical corneal healing who have not responded to conventional drops.
How often should I use autologous serum tears?
Typical dosing starts at 4‑6 drops per day, often ≈ one drop in each eye every 2‑4 hours, then tapering as symptoms improve under your doctor’s guidance.
Are autologous serum tears covered by insurance?
Insurance coverage is rare; most patients pay out‑of‑pocket or use HSA/FSA funds. Check with your provider and pharmacy for any possible reimbursement options.
What are the side effects of autologous serum tears?
Common side‑effects are mild stinging or temporary redness. Rarely, contamination or allergic reaction can occur, so keep drops refrigerated and discard after 30 days.
