The Ultimate Guide to Managing Severe Dry Eye: Why Autologous Serum Tears Could Be Your Best Option


If you’ve been struggling with persistent dry eye and have tried countless treatments without finding relief, you’re not alone. For many, the journey to finding an effective solution can be frustrating. However, there is hope. If you’re dealing with severe dry eye, autologous serum tears might be the game-changer you’ve been searching for. In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about dry eye, why serum tears are so effective, and how you can start using them.

Understanding Dry Eye: What It Is and Why It Happens

What is Dry Eye?

Dry eye occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough tears, or the tears they do produce aren’t of the right quality. Tears are essential for keeping the surface of the eye, particularly the cornea, hydrated. When the surface cells on the cornea are well-hydrated, they remain transparent, the tear film is smooth, and you can see clearly.

The Role of Blinking in Tear Production

Blinking plays a crucial role in tear production. Every time you blink, your eyes produce more tears. However, when you blink less frequently, such as when you’re staring at screens (like tablets, cell phones, or computers), reading, or even while you’re asleep, tear production decreases. This reduced tear production can lead to dry eyes, which in turn causes the corneal surface to dry out, leading to blurred vision and discomfort.

Symptoms of Dry Eye

Dry eye can manifest in several ways, but the most common symptoms include:

  • Blurry Vision: As the surface cells on the cornea dry out, your vision may become blurry.
  • Sandy or Gritty Sensation: Many people describe the feeling as if there’s sand in their eyes.
  • Excessive Tearing: Interestingly, one of the most common symptoms of dry eye is excessive tearing. This happens because your eyes try to compensate for the dryness by producing more tears, which often overflow.

Why Does Dry Eye Happen?

As we age, everyone experiences a decline in tear production. Most people start noticing symptoms of dry eye around the age of 35. While there’s no permanent cure for dry eye, there are several treatments available that can help manage the symptoms. Over-the-counter (OTC) products like artificial tears, gels, and ointments can provide temporary relief for many people. However, these products might not be sufficient for those with more severe dry eye.

Exploring Treatment Options: OTC Products vs. Prescription Medications

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Solutions

For mild cases of dry eye, OTC products are often the first line of defense. These products are easily accessible at grocery stores or pharmacies and include:

  • Artificial Tears: Available in various formulations, these mimic natural tears and provide temporary relief.
  • Gels and Ointments: These are thicker than artificial tears and can provide longer-lasting relief, especially useful for nighttime use.

While these solutions work well for many, they are often not enough for those with moderate to severe dry eye.

Prescription Medications

If OTC solutions aren’t effective, doctors may prescribe medications like Restasis or Xiidra. These medications aim to reduce inflammation in the eyes and increase tear production over time. However, there are some challenges with these treatments:

  • Delayed Onset: These medications often take months to start working, and the results can be inconsistent.
  • Cost: Prescription eye drops can be quite expensive, and not all insurance plans cover them.
  • Variable Effectiveness: Some patients experience significant relief, while others may find little to no benefit.

For those who don’t respond well to these medications, autologous serum tears could be the next step.

Autologous Serum Tears: The Most Effective Treatment for Severe Dry Eye

What Are Autologous Serum Tears?

Autologous serum tears are made from a patient’s own blood. These specialized eye drops contain natural growth factors, vitamins, and other components that are found in natural tears, making them highly effective in treating severe dry eye. Because they are made from your own blood, they are biocompatible and less likely to cause adverse reactions.

Why Are Serum Tears So Effective?

In my experience, and based on the results from numerous patients, autologous serum tears are the single most effective treatment for severe dry eye. Over 99% of my patients have seen significant improvement in their symptoms after using serum tears. Here’s why they work so well:

  • Natural Healing Properties: Serum tears contain components that are naturally present in healthy tears, such as growth factors, vitamins, and antibodies. These help to heal the damaged cells on the cornea, reducing dryness and discomfort.
  • Personalized Treatment: Because the serum is made from your own blood, it’s tailored specifically to your body, reducing the risk of allergic reactions or other side effects.

How to Get Started with Serum Tears

To begin using autologous serum tears, you’ll need to follow a specific process, which starts with a visit to your ophthalmologist or optometrist.

The Process of Acquiring and Using Serum Tears

Step 1: Comprehensive Eye Exam and Prescription

The first step is to see your eye doctor for a comprehensive eye exam. During this exam, your doctor will assess the severity of your dry eye and determine if serum tears are the right option for you. If so, they will provide you with a prescription for serum tears.

Step 2: Blood Draw

Once you have your prescription, the next step is to have your blood drawn. Here’s how the process works:

  • Visit a Lab: You’ll need to go to a lab, such as the NuCara Infusion Center or Any Lab Test Now, for the blood draw. No appointment is necessary at Any Lab Test Now, and the process usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Processing Time: After the blood draw, it takes about 45 minutes to process the serum tears. The cost for the blood draw typically ranges from $40 to $70 and is not covered by insurance.

Step 3: Serum Preparation

After your blood is drawn, it will be processed to create the serum tears:

  • Centrifuge Process: The lab will spin your blood in a centrifuge for about 15 minutes. This process separates the serum from the red blood cells.
  • Mixing with Saline: The serum is then mixed with saline to create a solution that can be used as eye drops. The concentration of serum to saline is usually around 40%, depending on your doctor’s prescription.

Step 4: Packaging and Storage

Your serum tears will be packaged into individual vials:

  • Packaging: The serum tears are packaged into 24 individual vials, each containing about 2 mL of the solution. Each vial provides approximately 40 drops, which is enough for about three days of use.
  • Storage: To maintain the effectiveness of the serum tears, it’s important to store them correctly:
    • Freezer: Store the vials in the freezer for long-term storage.
    • Refrigerator: When you’re ready to use a vial, thaw it and keep it in the refrigerator. Each vial should be used within three days once thawed.

Step 5: Using Serum Tears

When using your serum tears, follow these guidelines:

  • Daily Use: Apply the serum drops to your eyes as directed by your doctor. Typically, this involves using the drops multiple times per day.
  • Traveling: If you need to travel or run errands, keep the vial cool using a soft cooler with ice packs or a tumbler with ice. Avoid leaving the serum tears at room temperature for extended periods, as they are not preserved and may lose effectiveness.

Final Thoughts: Why Serum Tears Might Be Right for You

If you’ve tried other treatments for dry eye without success, autologous serum tears could be the solution you’ve been looking for. They offer a personalized, highly effective way to manage severe dry eye and can provide the relief that other treatments may not. Many patients who have used serum tears report significant improvements in their symptoms and quality of life.

Thank you for taking the time to read this guide. I hope it has provided you with valuable insights into managing severe dry eye and how serum tears can help. If you have any further questions or would like to explore this treatment option, I encourage you to consult with your eye care professional. Wishing you the best on your journey to finding relief from dry eye!

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