Serum tears are a specialized form of eye drop treatment for managing various ocular surface conditions. Unlike conventional artificial tears, these drops are derived from a patient’s own blood serum.
Understanding Serum Tears
Serum tears, also known as autologous serum eye drops, are made from the liquid component of a patient’s own blood, called serum. This autologous nature ensures high compatibility with the individual’s eye, reducing the risk of adverse reactions. The serum contains a rich blend of biological components found naturally in human tears.
These beneficial components include growth factors, proteins, vitamins, and immunoglobulins. Growth factors like epidermal growth factor (EGF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) promote healing and regeneration of the ocular surface, including corneal nerves. Vitamins A and C, along with antioxidants and electrolytes, contribute to the health and repair of eye tissues. Immunoglobulins provide natural antibacterial properties, helping to protect the eye from infection.
The presence of these elements helps to lubricate the eyes, reduce inflammation, and facilitate the natural healing processes of the ocular surface. Serum tears also improve tear film stability and enhance tear production, addressing underlying issues rather than just providing temporary symptom relief. This comprehensive action makes them effective for conditions where the eye’s natural healing capabilities are compromised.
The Preparation Process
The creation of serum tears begins with a blood draw from the patient, similar to a routine blood test. The blood sample is then transported to a specialized laboratory or compounding pharmacy.
Once at the lab, the blood undergoes centrifugation. This process spins the blood sample at high speeds, separating cellular components like red and white blood cells from the clear liquid serum. The isolated serum is then collected.
The serum is diluted with a sterile saline solution to a specific concentration, often around 20%. This diluted serum is then dispensed into multiple sterile eye drop vials. The entire preparation process occurs under sterile conditions to ensure the product’s purity.
Medical Applications
Serum tears are prescribed for ocular surface diseases that have not responded adequately to conventional treatments. A common application is severe dry eye syndrome, especially when artificial tears or punctal plugs have been insufficient.
Beyond dry eye, serum tears are used for persistent epithelial defects, which are non-healing sores on the cornea. The growth factors and nutrients in the serum promote cell growth and wound healing. They are also beneficial for neurotrophic keratitis, a condition characterized by impaired corneal sensation and poor healing due to nerve damage.
Other corneal surface disorders can also benefit, including conditions associated with systemic autoimmune diseases like Sjögren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and graft-versus-host disease. In these cases, serum tears can help improve corneal staining and reduce epithelial erosions. Their ability to support the health and regeneration of the eye’s surface makes them a treatment option for various ocular conditions.
What to Expect and Considerations
Patients administer serum tears multiple times a day, with dosage depending on the condition’s severity. Consistency in application is important for achieving results. The frequency and duration of use are determined by the prescribing eye care professional; some individuals may need them long-term, while others might discontinue them once their eyes have healed.
Proper storage of serum tears maintains their efficacy and sterility. Patients keep one bottle refrigerated for immediate use, storing the remaining supply in a freezer. Freezing preserves the drops over an extended period, preventing degradation of biological components. Frozen serum tears remain stable for several months, requiring periodic blood draws for refills.
Due to their autologous nature, serum tears are well-tolerated. The risk of allergic reactions is minimal since the drops are made from the patient’s own blood. However, maintaining sterility during preparation and handling is crucial to prevent microbial contamination. Patients are candidates for serum tears when other treatments have not yielded sufficient improvement.