Dry eye syndrome could be treated using your own blood

A team at Moorfields Eye Hospital led the first study that has investigated the use of blood in the eye as a possible treatment for dry eye syndrome. The study showed that a small drop of blood could relieve the symptoms of dry eyes.

Dry eye syndrome is a condition that occurs when the eyes don’t make enough tears or these evaporate too quickly, leading to red, swollen and irritated eyes. Eye drops are the common treatment, which either lubricate or reduce inflammation. However, they lack key nutrients for repair, which are found in tears and blood.

Patients with severe dry eye syndrome, used a lancet to safely draw a small drop of blood from their finger, which was then applied to the lower part of the affected eye. This procedure was carried out four times a day for eight weeks which resulting in damage to the eye surface being halved and an overall improvement in vision.

The improvements shown in the study are believed to be due to tears and blood as both contain similar enzymes and vitamins that help maintain and repair the cornea.

Potentially, this could be a low cost and readily available treatment for those with dry eye syndrome.

For more information, read the published study in Eye.