What are autologous
serum eye drops?
Autologous serum eye drops, or serum tears, are a personalized eye drop derived from a patient’s own blood serum. Unlike artificial tears, serum tears contain a unique blend of natural components—such as growth factors, proteins, and vitamins—that mimic natural tears.
Key Components
Serum tears include epidermal growth factor (EGF), fibronectin, vitamin A, and albumin, which are naturally present in blood serum.
Why Autologous?
Because they are made from the patient’s own blood, serum tears are biocompatible and made without preservatives.
How are serum tears made?
At Vital Tears, we streamline the process to ensure convenience for both providers and patients. Every bottle is prepared in our medical laboratory from the patient’s own serum, then cold-shipped within 48 hours of the blood draw. Here’s how it works:
Blood Collection
A small sample of the patient’s blood is drawn by a trained phlebotomist, either at a partnering lab or via our mobile phlebotomy service.
Serum Separation
The blood is allowed to clot, then centrifuged to isolate the serum—the clear, nutrient-rich liquid portion.
Dilution
The serum is diluted with balanced salt solution according to the concentration ordered by the eye care provider. The typical serum concentration ranges from 20 to 100 percent.
Packaging & Delivery
The final product is dispensed into sterile dropper bottles and shipped directly to the patient within 48 hours of the blood draw.
Our service eliminates logistical burdens by coordinating blood draws, processing, and delivery—allowing eye care professionals to focus on patient care.
Using and storing serum tears.
Because serum tears are made from biological material and are preservative free, they must be kept refrigerated. Vital Tears will be shipped cold or frozen, and each vial will last one week. The bottle of tears being used should be stored in the refrigerator, and the remaining vials should be stored upright in the freezer.
Tailor-Made for You
Preservative Free
Vital Tears are formulated without preservatives.
Customized
Your tears will be formulated to the exact specifications advised by your doctor to treat your specific eye condition.
Aseptically Processed
Vital Tears are processed in a medical laboratory by trained technicians using validated safety procedures.
Microfiltered
Advanced filtration removes pathogens.