title: [Experiences with a centralised national service for autologous serum eyedrops in England].
abstract: The majority of patients with dry eye syndromes respond to conventional treatment aimed at optimising the ocular surface environment. There are some, however, who do not respond adequately to conventional lubricants. The first description of the use of autologous serum as a nutrient tears substitute was published more than 20 years ago. In 1997, NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) developed a reliable and reproducible method for the production of eyedrops derived from autologous serum according to GMP Guidelines. The current cost of a batch of eyedrops (i. e. the product from one donation episode) is approximately 1300 GBP - this covers costs of collection, processing, testing and distribution. One "batch" of eyedrops will last for approximately 5 months if a bottle a day is used. A 6 month shelf life is put on the product and patients keep them in their domestic freezer.
authors.affiliation: NHS Blood and Transplant, Leeds Centre, Leeds, England.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maclennan
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hartwig
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Geerling
mesh_terms: D001688:Biological Products / Q000592:standards* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001771:Blood Banks / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004739:England; D006801:Humans; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000592:standards* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D044967:Serum; D000094902:Blood Banking / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D001688:Biological Products; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions