Autologous Serum Eye Drops
Autologous serum eyedrops are often requested when patients have not had success with various treatments for chronic dry eyes. Their own serum is used to make their eyedrops.
How Autologous Serum Eyedrops Work
Conventional therapies for severe dry eyes fail to heal the epithelial cells, which are the cells on the top layer of the cornea. The dry epithelial cells sometimes fall off of the cornea easily. Autologous serum comes from the patient’s own blood serum and plasma (Source: clevelandclinic.org).
The fluid contains epithelium-promoting growth factors and becomes a good replacement for tears.
Sjogren’s Syndrome is an inflammatory condition in which the mucous membranes, especially in the nose and mouth become very dry. Sometimes you will see this in patients who have rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
Autologous serum eyedrops (ASED) are thought to contain various growth factors and nutrients from the serum that benefit the surface of the eye and may help with corneal epithelial defects. Serum contains albumin, vitamin A, and nerve and epidermal growth factors that may promote healthy growth and healing of the ocular surface. These nutrients are not in over-the-counter artificial tears preparations.
