How Do Autologous Serum Tears Work - and Are They for Me?

Dry eye disease can be frustrating, uncomfortable, and disruptive to daily life. For many people, standard treatments like artificial tears, prescription eye drops, warm compresses, or punctal plugs provide enough relief. But for patients with moderate to severe dry eye - especially when other treatments haven’t worked - autologous serum tears may be an effective next step.

What Are Autologous Serum Tears?

Autologous serum tears are customized eye drops made from a patient’s own blood. After a small blood draw, the blood is processed to separate the serum - the nutrient-rich component that remains once blood cells and clotting factors are removed. This serum is then diluted to a specific concentration and prepared as preservative-free eye drops. Because the drops come from your own body, they closely resemble natural tears in both composition and function.

How Do Autologous Serum Tears Work?

Natural tears do much more than simply lubricate the eye. They contain growth factors, vitamins, antibodies, and proteins that support the health and healing of the ocular surface. Many of these components are missing from artificial tears.

Autologous serum tears help by:

• Promoting healing of the cornea and ocular surface through natural growth factors

• Reducing inflammation that contributes to chronic dry eye symptoms

• Improving tear film stability, leading to better comfort and vision

• Supporting nerve health, which is especially important in patients with nerve-related dry eye

Because they closely mimic the biochemical makeup of real tears, autologous serum tears don’t just relieve symptoms - they help address the underlying surface damage that causes dry eye discomfort.

What Conditions Are Serum Tears Commonly Used For?

Autologous serum tears are often recommended for patients with more complex or severe ocular surface disease, including:

• Severe or chronic dry eye disease

• Dry eye associated with autoimmune conditions (such as Sjögren’s syndrome)

• Post-surgical dry eye (including after LASIK or cataract surgery)

• Neurotrophic keratitis (reduced corneal sensation)

• Persistent corneal epithelial defects

They are typically considered when standard treatments have not provided sufficient relief.

Are Autologous Serum Tears Right for Me?

You may be a good candidate for autologous serum tears if:

• Your dry eye symptoms persist despite using artificial tears or prescription drops

• You experience burning, stinging, fluctuating vision, or light sensitivity on a regular basis

• You have been diagnosed with moderate to severe dry eye disease

• Your eye doctor has identified signs of ocular surface damage

A comprehensive eye evaluation is necessary to determine whether they are appropriate for your specific condition and lifestyle.

Take the Next Step at Hollywood Eye Institute

Autologous serum tears offer a unique, personalized approach to treating dry eye by using the body’s own healing components to restore the ocular surface. For patients with persistent or severe symptoms, they can provide significant relief and improved quality of life when other treatments fall short. Determining whether they’re right for you starts with a thorough evaluation and an individualized treatment plan.

If you’re struggling with chronic dry eye symptoms, schedule a dry eye evaluation with Hollywood Eye Institute to learn whether autologous serum tears are right for you. Visit our office in Cooper City, Florida, or call (754) 220-4800 to book an appointment today.