Blood Plasma Eye Drops

[Lotus1]

Hi everyone

Is anyone currently trialing blood plasma eye drops?

An acquaitance's nurse sister says the blood plasma eye drops are working at present for her.
Eye plugs were a disaster for her.

I'm going to ask my GP about these blood plasma eye drops.

I noticed 'Tuckerdog' was using & wrote about the drops back in 2009.
However, I couldn't find a member called Tuckerdog when I searched just now to ask if she is still using the drops.

If anyone has information re the drops I'd be grateful.

At present I'm trialing acupuncture/herbs, my last resort.
Not looking good.  I'll have a last session on Saturday unless there is real improvement.

I'm about to complete a disability pension application as I can't hack my work office environment anymore and can't think of work I can do with my dry eyes.
I've another 9.5 years before retirement age, can't see it out!
15 years of daily misery at work is enough for me!!

At present I'm healing having had surgery to remove mild lymphoma from the left parotid gland due to my dry mouth.
Blood tests have been good which I'm very thankful for.  My next blood test is early September.
It would be great to get my mouth away from the office also!

I know you people completely understand sjogrens eyes/mouth which cause so much grief.

I empathize with you all & look forward to hearing from anyone who wishes to respond to my 'airing'.

Lotus1

[SunshineDaydream]

My ophthalmologist mentioned it during my last visit saying I'd have to see a cornea specialist if I want to explore the option further. I would probably try scleral lenses before blood plasma eye drops because they are less expensive and I am needle-phobic. My ophthalmologist also mentioned a different kind of eye covering, but I forget what is it right now. I'll post again if I remember.

[Synnove]

My ophthalmologist offered it to me some time ago.  It is called Autologous plasma eye drops.  They make them in his eyecenter.  They have certain "clinic days" when people are consulted regarding this, and they draw blood from the patients and later make the plasma eye drops.  I understand they have to be kept frozen at home.  He said I will be given a supply that would last for perhaps 1 month or perhaps 2 months.  He said it would cost $ 800 and was not covered from insurance companies.
I decided against it due to the cost.

After reading your post, I looked this up, and found an old post on this forum from "ticker dog"- guest from Jan 3, 2010.  Reading this story was very interesting, as the procedure was all done in the blood bank of a hospital, and was covered by her insurance company.   This guest also said that this treatment is only for people with scratched cornea, which she/he had.  And the treatment had worked well.  (try to find the post)

I hope you find a right treatment, and that you find a place that can do it.  Look it up on google etc. I think there are many different places that deals with this

[Lotus1]

Thank you friends for your replies & suggestions, much appreciated.

I'll look into scleral lenses before blood plasma.

I live in the city of Perth, Australia so should find a place familiar with scleral lenses.

I'll let you know the outcome of my new adventure lol

Sigh, here we go again........

Lotus1

[SunshineDaydream]

Lacrisert is also an option, but not what I was trying to remember before. I'll let you know if I can figure out the other option my doctor mentioned.

Lacrisert (Bausch + Lomb) is a sterile, slow-release lubricant that is placed under the lower eye where the conjunctiva of the inside of the eyelid meets the conjunctiva of the eyeball (this location is called the inferior cul-de-sac of the eye).

Lacrisert is a solid insert composed of a preservative-free lubricating agent (hydroxypropyl cellulose) that slowly liquefies over time, providing an all-day moistening effect.

For most people with dry eyes, a single Lacrisert is applied once a day. The device has been proven to relieve dryness, burning, watery eyes, foreign body sensation, itching, light sensitivity and blurred vision, according to the company.

Lacrisert typically is recommended for patients with moderate to severe dry eye symptoms, especially if dry eye treatment with artificial tears alone proves unsuccessful.

If improperly placed in the inferior cul-de-sac of the eye, it's possible Lacrisert could cause a corneal abrasion. Also, Lacrisert may cause transient blurred vision, eye discomfort or irritation, matting or stickiness of eyelashes, red eyes and sensitivity to light.

http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/dryeye.htm

[Lotus1]

Thanks for the info SunshineDaydream, much appreciated.

The right eye scleral contact lens is sitting well, but not the left.
When I have the new left contact made I'll trial contacts again both lenses.

Lotus1

[SunshineDaydream]

Thanks for the update, Lotus1. Glad to hear the right lens worked well for you. I hope the new left lens works well when you get it.

[Deb 27]

Wow, $800 is a rip off for them to draw blood, separate it into little vials and sell it back to you!!! I hope they do it under sterile conditions.  It's amazing what the medical field will do to patients to make a buck. Makes me so hoppin mad!

[Lotus1]

Sunshine Daydream,  I'm trialing sea buckthorn berry oil capsules before I go ahead with the left contact lense.
Living in hope yet again!

[SunshineDaydream]

How are the sea buckthorn berry oil capsules working for you so far, Lotus?

I remembered the name of the other treatment I wanted to tell you about earlier which is an amniotic membrane. My ophthalmologist said I'd have to see a cornea specialist about. I think it's for more severe cases than what I have because I don't have corneal damage. I didn't look further into the treatment so I'm not sure if that's a necessary factor.

I just re-read your first post. Did you submit your disability application? How was your September blood test?