Dry Eye
Autologous plasma eye drops are a treatment for severe dry eye disease in which conservative treatment does not work. Typical treatment for dry eye disease will usually begin with the use of artificial tears several times a day and some patients will require gels and ointments to be used primarily at night, but sometimes during the day as well.
Patients with more severe dry eye disease may require the use of prescription medications, such as short-term use of steroids or immunosuppressive medications, such as cyclosporine eye drops/ointments. These types of drops work by decreasing inflammation and increasing tear production.
Other therapies for dry eye
Along with the above topical treatments, the use of other therapies can be used to relieve the symptoms of dry eye disease, such as punctal plugs; which are inserted into the tear ducts to prevent tears from draining too quickly, warm eye masks and eyelid massages; to help unblock meibomian glands that can contribute to dry eye disease, anti-fog glasses; that help reduce tear evaporation, and by taking oral nutritional supplements.
Autologous plasma eye drops may be indicated if previous treatments fail to control eye symptoms and the cornea continues to be damaged. An ophthalmologist will assess the patient’s suitability for these eye drops before suggesting them.
What are autologous plasma eye drops made of?
Autologous plasma eye drops are made from the patient’s own blood. The patient will come to an appointment and be assessed by a nurse to make sure they are healthy enough to donate blood, if so about 1 pint of blood will be taken, this is done the same way a donation is made of blood or the like. a blood test, but more is taken.
Once the patient’s blood has been drawn, it is made into eye drops. This process is not instantaneous and normally the patient will have to return a couple of weeks later to collect the drops. First, the blood is tested to make sure it’s feasible to make eye drops. If the tests come out clear, you can start the second process.
The blood is left to coagulate for about 10 hours, once this has happened the blood, which is in a special package, is placed in a centrifuge and centrifuged for about 15 minutes. This causes the red blood cells to separate from the plasma. Once completely separated, the plasma is diluted in sterile saline solution and frozen in daily doses.
One unit of blood can produce enough eye drops to last a patient approximately 3 months, but this can vary from patient to patient and depending on the amount of blood that was initially drawn from the patient. Plasma drops should be kept frozen at all times and only one daily dose per day should be thawed and used by the patient.
conclusion
Autologous plasma eye drops contain no additives or preservatives. Eye drops work because they have vitamin A, immunoglobulins, fibronectin, and growth factors that help promote epithelial health by making the eyes heal faster and increasing eye lubrication.
Some patients may find it difficult to find traditional artificial tears that work for them and don’t further irritate their eyes, but since autologous plasma eye drops are made from the patient’s own blood, they serve as a good replacement for conventional artificial tears. artificial tears.