FAB treatment
Finger-prick autologous blood relieves refractory dry eye


Roibeard O’hEineachain
Published: Wednesday, March 1, 2017

Fingertip autologous blood possesses several theoretical advantages over autologous serumMANY PRACTICAL ADVANTAGES Several peer-reviewed studies have shown autologous serum to be effective in a range of corneal conditions. The treatment’s current indications include limbal stem cell deficiency, recurrent erosion syndrome, diabetic keratopathy, and graft vs. host disease. Barriers to wider adoption of autologous serum include the initial cost of €1,900 and then €450 per month. There is a delay in obtaining funding and there can be a delay in production of drops, since not all laboratories perform the necessary processes on blood products. Moreover, patients have to store the product in the refrigerator at home. “Fingertip autologous blood possesses several theoretical advantages over autologous serum. Its costs are limited to the purchase of alcohol sterets and diabetic lancets and it requires no storage whatsoever,” Dr Balal said. He noted that, although the treatment must be maintained over the long-term in dry eye, patients using FAB for the indication are highly motivated to continue their therapy by the relief it provides. He added that he and his associates are researching the possibility of using less painful lancets. In addition, plans are under way for a randomised controlled trial recruiting patients from several centres across the UK and also extending their recruitment indication to patients with Meibomian gland dysfunction, Dr Balal said. “FAB is an alternative low-cost, readily accessible treatment for dry eye syndrome, and also for persistent epithelial defects,” Dr Balal concluded. Correspondence to Anant Sharma: anant.sharma@bedfordhospital.nhs.uk The authors also acknowledged Moorfields NIHR BRC for support
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