Plasma Rich in Growth Factor (Serum Tears)
Plasma Rich in Growth Factors (PRGF), a subset of Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), is prepared using a person’s own blood serum for wound healing. The use of a patient’s own blood to create eye drops has been around for 20 years. Over the years, autologous serum has been used to help heal injured corneas, soothe dry eyes, and recently to heal abnormal nerves.
Autologous PRGF : The Endoret System
Autologous serum (AS) tears for the use of corneal disorders have evolved over the past several decades. Conventional AS tears need to be dilated (for e.g., 50% or 75%) because of inflammatory leukocytes that increased inflammation and accelerated fibrin deterioration. In addition, conventional AS tears are very poor in growth factors since platelets are eliminated in the process of its production.
As a new alternative, plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF) is a hemoderivative product, which is different from AS, and has been proposed for the treatment of dry eye disease (DED). Autologous PRGF has a high concentration of platelets obtained through a relatively simple process, which requires minimal manipulation and no addition of any other particular substance. An experimental study showed that PRGF exerts more potent proliferative and anti-inflammatory effects than AS on a cell culture inflammatory model.
Dr. Fishman brought the Endoret® system into his office so that AS tears can be made safely in the office and provided to the patient within ~ 2 hours. Over more than 15 years, it has been possible to verify the safety and therapeutic potential of the different Endoret® (prgf®) formulations in different areas of medicine. The set of Endoret® (prgf®) technology formulations represents a solution in terms of safety, effectiveness and reproducibility that is demanded in the treatment of various eye diseases.
The patient receives 32 Dropperette vials and each vial can be used without refrigeration for 3 days after which it is discarded. By preparing the PRGF in individual vials and by using the dropperette vial for only 3 days, the risk of contamination is reduced.
