These drops have a name—autologous serum eye drops. And yes, they're made using a patient's blood.
Why blood? "There are several growth factors, nutrients, and other components found in the serum of our blood," Aaron B. Zimmerman, OD, a professor of clinical optometry at The Ohio State University College of Optometry, tells Health.
These nutrients and other ingredients "promote healing of the epithelium—the superficial layer of the cornea," Shibayama says. "It has been shown to help with nerve regeneration" in people who struggle with eye pain, she says, and it's also used to treat severe cases of dry eye in patients who haven't seen relief from other treatments.
"One purpose of the autologous tear is to lubricate the eye, though many different artificial tears accomplish this," Zimmerman says. "The difference with autologous tears is that the nutrients and growth factors further promote healing of the ocular surface."
Why blood? "There are several growth factors, nutrients, and other components found in the serum of our blood," Aaron B. Zimmerman, OD, a professor of clinical optometry at The Ohio State University College of Optometry, tells Health.
These nutrients and other ingredients "promote healing of the epithelium—the superficial layer of the cornea," Shibayama says. "It has been shown to help with nerve regeneration" in people who struggle with eye pain, she says, and it's also used to treat severe cases of dry eye in patients who haven't seen relief from other treatments.
"One purpose of the autologous tear is to lubricate the eye, though many different artificial tears accomplish this," Zimmerman says. "The difference with autologous tears is that the nutrients and growth factors further promote healing of the ocular surface."