Serum eye drops are a form of therapy used to treat and alleviate serious injuries and complex medical problems of the eye. Serum eye drops are formulated to closely match the composition of natural tear fluid. However, they also contain vitamins and growth factors that help the eye’s cornea to heal.1 There are different types of blood-derived eye drops: autologous serum eye drops are made from the patient’s own blood serum, while allogeneic serum eye drops are made from screened blood donations.
Both types of serum eye drops are a specialized treatment used for severe diseases of the ocular surface when conventional eye drops do not provide relief.2
“Serum eye drops are very similar in
composition to natural tear fluid.”
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How do you get serum eye drops and do you need a prescription?
Unlike conventional eye drops, serum eye drops are not available over the counter. They require a prescription from an attending ophthalmologist. The first step in the production of autologous serum eye drops is to take a blood sample from the patient. The blood is centrifuged in the blood bank, and the serum is then separated from the other blood components and bottled. The eye drops are dispensed into single-dose containers at the blood bank and made available for pick-up at a local pharmacy for the patient.
When are serum eye drops prescribed?
Serum eye drops are not usually a first-line treatment and are typically prescribed for severe diseases of the ocular surface, such as:
· Severe forms of dry eye disease (DED)
· Persistent epithelial defects5
· Neurotrophic keratitis
· Chemical burns
· Post-surgical healing
· Sjögren’s syndrome6
Where are the serum eye drops currently manufactured?
To heal severe ocular damages such as Dry Eye Disease (DED), Sjögren’s Syndrome or others, lubricating and nutrient properties are necessary. “Commercially available artificial tears alleviate biomechanical trauma caused by dry eye disease but lack biological properties such as nutrients that promote ocular surface renewal and immunological defence.”2
Blood serum lubricates and provides nourishing substances. It contains a large number of healing factors that are present in human tears. Both serum and platelet-rich plasma contain growth factors and vitamins and immunoglobulins, some in higher concentrations than in natural tears. These epitheliotrophic factors are mainly responsible for the therapeutic action in ocular surface pathologies.
What is the contribution of On point medicals?
On point medicals plays a crucial role in the development and distribution of innovative medical products for blood banks and transfusion medicine. Its aim is to make the daily work of doctors, technical staff and nurses easier and to increase safety in clinical practice. The company’s Jetrail® system optimizes the filling process for blood serum and ensures consistent and safe production of serum eye drops.6 In this way, the company can indirectly contribute to the clinical benefit for patients.
Sources:
1 Korneale Epitheldefektbehandlung mit Serumaugentropfen. In: Tipps und Tricks für den Augenarzt. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg; 2008. S. 92. verfügbar unter: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-48718-0_92.
2 Was sind Serumaugentropfen? On Point Medicals. Verfügbar unter: https://onpointmedicals.at/blog/was-sind-serumaugentropfen? [Zugriff am 26.09.2024]. Tirol Kliniken (2022).
3 Tirol Kliniken. Checkliste für allogene Serumaugentropfen (ALLSAT), Dok. Nr. 0001368. Zentralinstitut für Bluttransfusion und Immunologische Abteilung. 2022. Verfügbar unter: https://blutbank-innsbruck.tirol-kliniken.at/data.cfm?vpath=dokumente/verordnen-von-autologen-serumaugentropfen-checkliste [Zugriff am 26.09.2024].
4 Geerling G, Grus F, Seitz B, Hartwig D, Schirra F. Arzneimittelrechtliche Erlaubnis bei der Herstellung von Serum-Augentropfen. Wann ist sie erforderlich und wie kann sie umgesetzt werden? Ophthalmologe. 2008;105(7):632–8.
5 Korneale Epitheldefektbehandlung mit Serumaugentropfen. In: Tipps und Tricks für den Augenarzt. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg; 2008. S. 92. verfügbar unter: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-48718-0_92.
6 Jetrail® System für Serumaugentropfen. On Point Medicals. Verfügbar unter: https://onpointmedicals.at/de/jetrail-system-serum-augentropfen/ [Zugriff am 20.09.2024].
Picture credit: Shutterstock
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