Autologous eye drops

[Justinealexx]

Just wondering if anyone has any experience of this treatment where eye drops are made using the patient’s own blood plasma? I have requested a referral. I have lupus and sjogrens and I am interested in this treatment as a way of reducing my dependence on steroid drops and immune suppressant drops. I had a trial of scleral contact lenses but unfortunately my eyes couldn’t tolerate them. I’d be grateful for any information. Thank you.

[LittleSteve]

Hi hope you are doing OK. I had autologous drops after all other drops and punctual plugs failed. I went every three months to have my blood taken and drops arrived a few weeks later. Once started the routine was worked so there was a consistent supply. Some times the amount of blood I could give varied a little due to how I felt but appointments were adjusted and I was never without drops. They worked brilliantly. Unfortunately after a while I developed a left bundle branch block of my heart which meant I could no longer give blood. I thought this would be the end of my drops but there are brilliant men who donate their blood for eye drops. So I have been on donor drops for a couple of years now. Have worked well until recently and now have to supplement these with prescribed hylo forte every hour. I have had SLE and Sjogrens for 16 years. Hope this helps. Ps the drops are frozen and you thaw one a day. Brilliant until you go travelling then storage problems are a nightmare. Stay safe and good luck

[Justinealexx in reply to LittleSteve]

Thought I’d give an update. Unfortunately not been on here for a while due to eye discomfort and other distractions! I recently received my first batch of donated serum Eye drops, after the consultant decided my lupus makes me unsuitable to donate my own blood. All going well so far though I’m already a little anxious about travelling with them 🤞