title: Comparison of application systems for autologous serum eye drops.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Autologous serum eye drops are used for therapy of severe ocular surface disorders by patients with visual and manual impairments. Until recently, they were prepared under sterile conditions from open blood sampling systems. Closed blood donation systems simplify production. This study compares handling and costs of a new day dosage vial ("Meise-vial") and a single-dose tube system ("Maco-tube") based on closed production systems with conventional dropper bottles.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nonimpaired volunteers and patients with visual or manual impairment (n = 10 each group) single-handedly tested the applicators filled with 1.5 ml sterile isotonic saline solution. Participants rated convenience of opening the containers and applying eye drops on a scale from 1.0 (very good) to 6.0 (very bad). Number of retrievable drops was counted. Participants were asked which system they prefer, both with and without knowledge of the price for the systems.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median for convenience of opening (eye drop application) was 2.0 (1.0) for Meise-vials, 5.0 (4.0) for Maco-tubes, and 2.0 (2.0) for dropper bottles (p < 0.001). Median number of drops retrieved from the systems was 30.5 (vials), 2 (tubes), and 30 (bottles). Ranking did not differ between nonimpaired and impaired participants. Assuming equal prices, 16 participants chose Meise-vials, 14 dropper bottles, and no tubes. With knowledge of pricing, preference changed (p = 0.001), 20 participants (67%) opted for dropper bottles and 5 (17%) preferred the other containers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Convenience of opening, applying eye drops, and number of drops retrieved was substantially better for dropper bottles and Meise-vials compared with Maco-tubes. Bottles and vials were equally well received. With regard to price, nonimpaired as well as impaired participants preferred dropper bottles. While closed systems simplify production, patients preferred dropper bottles for daily application of autologous serum eye drops for a number of reasons.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology .
authors.forename: Kristina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Spaniol
authors.forename: Lutz
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Koerschgen
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Sander
authors.forename: Gesine
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Koegler
authors.forename: Gerd
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Geerling
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications*; D004349:Drug Packaging / Q000191:economics; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D044967:Serum; D015354:Vision, Low / Q000150:complications*; D014792:Visual Acuity; D019987:Persons with Visual Disabilities
chemical_list: D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions