Autologous serum eye drops are eye drops made from your own blood. A sample is taken, the serum is separated and diluted with sterile saline, then dispensed into sterile bottles and frozen for you to use several times a day. Because serum contains the same growth factors, vitamins and proteins as natural tears, these drops nourish and heal the ocular surface in a way artificial tears cannot. They are reserved for severe dry eye and ocular surface disease that has not responded to standard treatment, and are prescribed and supervised by a consultant. Indicative self-pay cost is from around £450 for roughly a three-month supply, confirmed at consultation.
What are autologous serum eye drops?
"Autologous" means "from your own body". These drops are produced from the clear, straw-coloured part of your blood — the serum — which is rich in the natural factors your eye needs to stay healthy. Unlike over-the-counter artificial tears, which only lubricate, serum drops actively support healing of the cornea and conjunctiva.
They contain no preservatives and no foreign ingredients, so they are very well tolerated even by eyes that sting or react to conventional drops. In the UK they are prepared under strict conditions by specialist services and used under the supervision of an ophthalmologist.
How they work & where they fit
Natural tears are far more than salt water — they carry epidermal growth factor, vitamin A, fibronectin and other proteins that keep the surface of the eye smooth and healthy. In severe dry eye these are depleted. Serum drops replace them, calming inflammation and helping the corneal surface repair.
Serum drops sit at the top of the dry-eye treatment ladder, considered when earlier steps have not given enough relief:
Serum drops are often combined with other dry-eye care. Depending on your diagnosis your consultant may also recommend Ikervis (ciclosporin), EvoTears, punctal plugs, or OptiLight IPL for meibomian gland disease.
Severe dry eye not responding to drops? A consultant dry-eye assessment identifies the cause and whether serum eye drops are right for you.
Book a dry-eye assessmentHow autologous serum eye drops are made
Producing serum drops is a careful, regulated process. It starts with a consultation and, once suitability is confirmed, a blood draw.
- Assessment. Your consultant confirms the diagnosis, checks that other treatments have been optimised, and arranges the blood tests required before serum can be prepared.
- Blood sample. A quantity of blood is taken, much like a routine blood test.
- Serum separation. In a specialist laboratory the blood is allowed to clot and is spun down; the serum is separated from the cells.
- Dilution & filling. The serum is diluted with sterile saline to a prescribed concentration and dispensed into sterile bottles or single-use vials under clean conditions.
- Freezing & supply. The drops are frozen for storage. You keep the main supply in the freezer and thaw one bottle at a time to use over a few days.
Using and storing your drops
Serum drops are used like any other eye drop — typically several times a day — but they need careful storage because they contain no preservatives.
Storage
Keep the bulk supply frozen. Thaw one bottle at a time and keep the in-use bottle refrigerated.
Daily use
Instil the number of drops your consultant advises, spaced through the day. Wash hands and avoid touching the tip to the eye.
In-use life
Use each opened bottle within the short period advised, then discard — there are no preservatives to keep it sterile longer.
Review & repeat
Your consultant reviews progress and arranges a repeat batch. Many patients notice comfort improve over several weeks.
Cost of autologous serum eye drops
Because the drops are custom-made from your own blood, cost depends on the volume prepared and how often batches are repeated. As a guide:
- Self-pay: from around £450 (indicative) for approximately a three-month supply, plus the initial consultation and required blood tests. Confirmed at consultation.
- Insurance: some private medical insurers contribute where serum drops are recommended for a covered ocular surface condition — we can advise on authorisation.
- Ongoing supply: repeat batches are arranged as needed under consultant supervision.
Other severe dry-eye options and their costs include dry-eye IPL treatment, amniotic membrane grafts, and scleral lens fitting. Advanced meibomian gland imaging is available with LipiScan.