What it is
Autologous serum tears are eye drops made from the liquid part of your own blood, called serum. "Autologous" simply means the material comes from the same person who will use it. A compounding pharmacy then dilutes it with a sterile solution and prepares it in small containers.
Compounding pharmacies prepare customized medications when a licensed prescriber orders them for a specific patient. Because autologous serum tears are made this way, they are not an FDA-approved drug. The FDA has not reviewed them for safety or effectiveness as a finished product.
Because each batch is prepared individually, details can vary from one pharmacy to another, including how blood is collected, how the serum is processed, and how the drops are stored. This is why it helps to ask a provider about the source and processing of any product you are considering.
How it’s traditionally been approached
Eye doctors have long discussed serum-based drops as one of several options when ordinary artificial tears have not felt like enough for a person with dry eye symptoms. The idea behind them is that serum contains natural components also found in human tears.
Dry eye has traditionally been approached in layers. These can include over-the-counter lubricating drops, attention to eyelid and environmental factors, prescription medicines, in-office procedures, and, in some situations, specially prepared drops such as serum tears.
Which approach is chosen is individual. A clinician considers the cause and severity of the symptoms, overall health, and personal circumstances, and decisions are often revisited over time.
How the right eye doctor may help
A licensed eye doctor may start by asking about your symptoms, your history, the products you already use, and what daily life with dry eye feels like. An exam of the eye surface and tear film may follow. The goal of the visit is to understand what may be contributing, not to hand you a ready-made answer.
If serum tears come up, a provider may explain how the process generally works, including that a blood draw is needed and that a compounding pharmacy prepares the drops. They can also say whether it may or may not be a reasonable thing to consider in your case. Only a licensed clinician can decide what is appropriate for you after an evaluation.
Helpful questions to ask include: Is this right for my situation? Which pharmacy prepares it, and how is it processed and stored? What is its FDA or regulatory status? What is the total cost, and might insurance consider it? What are the possible risks, and what should I watch for? How will we know whether it is helping?
The whole-person view
Body, mind and stress affect one another. Ongoing eye discomfort can disrupt sleep, focus and mood, and stress or tension can in turn make people more aware of physical symptoms. Looking at the whole person can be a helpful complement to eye care.
Some people find body-based support, such as the approaches listed through Somatic Experiences, useful for working with stress held in the body. Others prefer talk therapy, such as through Therapists.plus. Neither replaces an eye evaluation, and both can sit alongside it.
Keep in mind
- Autologous serum tears are pharmacy-compounded from your own blood and are not an FDA-approved drug.
- Only a licensed eye doctor can decide whether any product is appropriate after an evaluation; this page is not medical advice and promises no results.
- Sudden vision changes, severe eye pain, or a suspected eye infection need prompt professional care. For emergencies call 911, and in a crisis call or text 988.
- Ask about the pharmacy, the processing, the regulatory status and the total cost before starting anything.
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Frequently asked questions
What are compounding pharmacy serum tears?
Compounding pharmacy serum tears are eye drops a specialized pharmacy prepares from a patient's own blood serum, diluted in a sterile solution, when a licensed prescriber orders them. They are used in some dry eye treatment discussions. They are not an FDA-approved drug.
Are autologous serum tears FDA-approved?
No, autologous serum tears are not an FDA-approved drug. They are compounded by a pharmacy for an individual patient based on a prescriber's order. Ask your eye doctor about the regulatory status of any product you are considering.
Do I need a prescription for serum tears from a compounding pharmacy?
Yes, they are generally prepared only on a licensed prescriber's order for a specific patient. An eye doctor would first evaluate your eyes and history. They can tell you whether this is something worth considering.
Where does the serum come from?
The serum comes from your own blood, which is drawn and then processed. The pharmacy then prepares it into drops. Ask your provider about how the blood is collected, processed and stored.
Is dry eye treatment with serum tears covered by insurance?
Coverage varies and depends on your plan, so it is best to check directly with your insurer and your provider's office. Ask about the total cost, including the blood draw and each preparation, before starting.
Are serum tears the same as amniotic eye drops?
No, they are different. Serum tears come from your own blood, while amniotic-derived drops come from donated tissue. Neither is generally an FDA-approved drug, and some amniotic membrane devices follow a separate human tissue product pathway, so ask your eye doctor about the specific product.
Educational resource. Placenta-Derived Eye Serum shares general information and connects people with independent eye doctors. It is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Talk with a licensed professional about your health.