Plasma for the eyes

Humphrey has benefited from ophthalmologic plasma drops in his eyes. He's decided to do a little further research to understand why, and if he might benefit from longer-term use of plasma.

Plasma has been used in ophthalmology for about 20 years, because plasma allows for a variety of therapeutic benefits based on its composition. An outstanding summary in Acta Ophthalmologica provides a comprehensive description of components, but  highlights include:

• epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) which promotes tissue growth 
• fibromectin and fibroblas growth factor B (BFGF), which promote healing
• albumin
• a high concentration of vitamin A that reduces degradation of cytokines and growth factors
• nerve growth factor (NGF) that helps to restore the function of injured neurons

Plasma is are used to treat corneal problems and substitute for natural tears in some cases where the body cannot sufficiently produce tears according to he Review of Ophthalmology., as well as for lesions and healing after LASIK surgery.

In humans, autologous plasma (meaning the patient's own) is used, as well as donor plasma where the source is a blood bank. The UK's Queen Victoria Hospital produced an excellent informational document on the collection, preparation and use of autologous plasma for corneal disease, including dry eye.

According to the Review of Ophthalmology, ophthalmologic plasma can be pure, or diluted with sterile saline to contain 20%, 25% or 50% plasma serum to saline. In that article, a physician interviewed estimates about half of patients who try plasma receive sufficient benefit to continue with the costly drops.

So far, Humphrey has benefited from plasma obtained from the animal blood donor clinic, but his vet is able to create autologous serum for him for a cost of around $100. The latter, as far as he knows, would not be diluted.

2021 UPDATE: Humphrey needed plasma for his eyes in 2021, but could not get an appointment with an ophthalmologist in time to get sufficient plasma for every-two-hour instillation! No vets in the area carried it. So, he put his crack research skills to work and determined that it could indeed be ordered (by a vet) from the Canadian Animal Blood Bank in Alberta. For ophthalmologic use, the product is Canine Neonate Plasma, 5 ml for $20 in 2021 plus shipping. It shipped in 24 hours frozen, and each 5ml vial was sufficient for 2 or 3 days of drops instilled every 2 hours. We used fine-tipped glass eyedropper which we sterilized every day. Once unfrozen, the plasma is good for about 3 days (though one ophthalmologist told us it can be used for up to 5 days). If kept in the freezer, the vials are good indefinitely.