How to get your own PRP eye drops

Unlock the Power of Platelet-Rich Plasma for Eye Health

Introduction: A Natural Wonder in Eye Care

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) drops are transforming ocular health. More and more patients are coming in globally to access their own PRP eye drops with amazing results. Though it is not 100% guaranteed to cure dry eye or heal aging eyes and glands completely,  PRP eye drops are a healing cell and strong anti-inflammatory. 

As an eye surgeon who has incorporated these innovative drops into my routine, I'm excited to share their benefits and my experiences with this natural treatment approach. PRP drops leverage the body's own healing mechanisms, offering a promising alternative for managing various eye conditions, particularly dry eye disease (DED).

What Are PRP Drops?

PRP drops are derived from your own plasma, ensuring high compatibility and potency. They utilize concentrated platelets rich in growth factors, cytokines, and interleukins to promote healing and rejuvenation. Widely used in joint treatments to avoid surgery, PRP is now gaining traction in eye care for its regenerative properties. These drops are particularly effective for conditions like moderate to severe dry eye, corneal ulcers, and post-LASIK ocular surface syndrome due to their ability to mimic the biochemical composition of natural tears, including essential vitamins and growth factors.

The Process: From Blood to Drops

The preparation of PRP drops is straightforward yet fascinating:

1. Blood Collection: Approximately 20–60 mL of blood is drawn, a small amount compared to a blood donation (500 mL).
2. Centrifugation: The blood is mixed with an anticoagulant like sodium citrate to prevent clotting and centrifuged to separate components. Typically, a two-step centrifugation process is used (e.g., 1500g for 10 minutes) to isolate the platelet-rich plasma.
3. Storage: The plasma is aliquoted into sterile, light-resistant bottles (often 1.5–3 mL per vial) and kept frozen at −20°C for up to 3 months or refrigerated at 4–8°C for 1 week to maintain efficacy.
4. Application: Patients apply the drops 6–10 times daily, with frequency gradually reduced as symptoms improve. Vials in use are refrigerated, and patients are instructed to maintain hygiene to prevent contamination.

Why PRP and Not Other Alternatives?

PRP stands out due to its high concentration of growth factors, such as epidermal growth factor (EGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-AB), and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-β1), which are critical for tissue repair and regeneration. Compared to autologous serum (AS), PRP contains 2.5–8 times the platelet concentration of whole blood, resulting in higher levels of healing factors. AS, while effective for some, lacks platelets and may contain inflammatory cytokines, which can be less beneficial for patients with autoimmune conditions like Sjögren’s syndrome. Platelet-Poor Plasma (PPP) is used primarily for its anti-inflammatory properties but shows varied effectiveness across patients.

Clinical studies have demonstrated PRP’s superiority. For instance, a 2022 study reported a significant reduction in Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) scores (39.5 to 30.8, p=0.02) and improvements in corneal fluorescein staining (CFS) in 18.2% of eyes treated with PRP. Another study in 2024 found no significant difference between 100% autologous PRP (APRP) and AS in OSDI scores or Oxford staining grades, suggesting PRP’s non-inferiority to AS.

Safety and Precautions: What You Need to Know

PRP is generally safe due to its autologous nature, minimizing risks of allergic reactions or disease transmission. However, proper storage is critical:

• Storage: Keep PRP drops refrigerated at 4–8°C for up to 1 week or frozen at −20°C for up to 3 months to prevent contamination and infection.
• Usage Limit: Beyond seven days of refrigeration, PRP remains effective for cosmetic applications (e.g., hair and facial treatments) but should not be used in the eyes due to potential risks of bacterial growth.
• Contraindications: PRP is not recommended for patients under 18, those with blood disorders, clotting issues, active eye infections, or glaucoma, or during pregnancy due to limited safety data.

A rare but serious risk was reported in cases of PRP injections for facial cosmetics, where improper administration led to irreversible blindness due to ophthalmic artery occlusion. This underscores the importance of skilled providers and sterile techniques.

Embracing New Methods: Patients’ Experiences with PRP

Patients worldwide are adopting PRP drops, often participating in trials comparing PRP to alternatives like autologous serum. A 2017 study of 368 patients with moderate to severe DED found that 87.5% experienced symptom improvement after 6 weeks of PRP monotherapy, with 76.1% showing reduced CFS. Another study in 2023 reported significant improvements in corneal sensitivity and staining in patients with Sjögren’s syndrome-related DED treated with allogeneic PRP. While some prefer AS, PRP frequently stands out for its effectiveness in improving ocular health, particularly in severe cases.

Where to get them?

We continue to study the effects of PRP eye drops via an IRB approved protocol in our office at Visionary Eye Doctors. If you have questions, call or email us below. 

Visionary Eye Doctors One Central Plaza on Security Lane 11300 Rockville Pike, Suite 1202, Rockville, MD 20852 Phone: 301-896-0890 Fax: (301) 896-0968 

kcarpio@voeyedr.com

Conclusion: Embrace Nature’s Remedy

PRP eye drops offer a compelling, natural solution for addressing eye discomfort, particularly for moderate to severe DED, corneal ulcers, and post-surgical complications. By harnessing your body’s own resources, this treatment promotes ocular health safely and efficiently. If you’re considering PRP, consult an experienced provider to explore this innovative approach. For more details on PRP preparation and efficacy, refer to the publications listed below.

Thank you for reading! Please share this with others who might benefit, subscribe for more insights, and prioritize your eye health.

References: PubMed Publications on PRP Eye Drops (Latest First)

1. 2024-10-09: Wróbel-Dudzińska D, et al. "Efficacy of 100% autologous platelet-rich plasma and 100% autologous serum in dry eye disease: a randomised controlled trial." BMJ Open Ophthalmology. This randomized controlled trial compared 100% APRP and AS in 96 patients with moderate-to-severe DED. No significant difference was found in OSDI scores (mean difference 1.41, 95% CI −1.26 to 4.08, p=0.299) or Oxford staining grades, confirming PRP’s non-inferiority to AS.

2. 2023-12-18: Okumura Y, et al. "Biological effects of stored platelet-rich plasma eye-drops in corneal wound healing." British Journal of Ophthalmology. This study assessed PRP eye drops stored at 4°C for 4 weeks, finding they promoted corneal epithelial wound healing with higher growth factor levels (TGF-β1, EGF, fibronectin) than AS, while maintaining sterility.

3. 2023-11-06: Metheetrairut C, et al. "Efficacy and safety of platelet-rich plasma and autologous-serum eye drops for dry eye in primary Sjögren’s syndrome: a randomized trial." Scientific Reports. This trial with 38 patients found significant improvements in corneal and conjunctival staining scores and tear break-up time (TBUT) in both PRP and AS groups at 4 and 12 weeks (p<0.005), with no significant differences between groups.

4. 2022-08-12: Mohammed MA, et al. "Lacrimal gland injection of platelet rich plasma for treatment of severe dry eye: a comparative clinical study." BMC Ophthalmology. In 28 eyes of 14 Sjögren’s syndrome patients, PRP lacrimal gland injections significantly improved noninvasive tear break-up time, tear meniscus height, and CFS compared to controls over 3 months.

5. 2022-07-06: Murtaza F, et al. "Autologous platelet-rich plasma drops for evaporative dry eye disease from meibomian gland dysfunction: a pilot study." Clinical Ophthalmology. This study of 20 eyes showed significant improvements in OSDI scores, tear break-up time, and conjunctival injection after 4 weeks of PRP treatment.

6. 2022-05-25: Metheetrairut C, et al. "Comparison of epitheliotrophic factors in platelet-rich plasma versus autologous serum and their treatment efficacy in dry eye disease." Scientific Reports. This study found higher concentrations of EGF, PDGF-AB, and TGF-β1 in PRP than AS, with stable levels after storage at −20°C for 3 months. PRP showed comparable efficacy to AS in DED treatment.

7. 2017-08-07: Alio JL, et al. "Treatment of dry eye disease with autologous platelet-rich plasma: a prospective, interventional, non-randomized study." Ophthalmology Therapy. In 368 patients, 87.5% reported symptom improvement, and 76.1% showed reduced CFS after 6 weeks of PRP monotherapy.

8. 2012-06-29: Alio JL, et al. "The role of 'eye platelet rich plasma' (E-PRP) for wound healing in ophthalmology." Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology. This review highlighted E-PRP’s higher growth factor and cell adhesion molecule concentrations compared to AS, with successful outcomes in treating corneal ulcers, severe DED, and post-LASIK complications.