Serum Tears Financial Assistance

Serum Tears (or autologous serum eye drops) are an ophthalmic biological therapy made to order for each patient. Serum Tears are created by combining the patient’s blood serum with sterile, preservative-free saline. Human serum contains growth factors and proteins that, when filtered and diluted, may help heal epithelial defects and relieve symptoms of severe dry eye. A physician typically prescribes serum Tears for patients experiencing symptoms that have not responded to other treatments.

In 2017, Florida Lions Eye Bank began the service of producing Serum Tears for patients throughout the state of Florida. To date, we have processed drops for nearly five thousand patients, with more added every day.

Unfortunately, most insurance plans including Medicare and Medicaid, do not typically cover Serum Tears. As such, patients are responsible for the cost of this therapy. Because of this, Florida Lions Eye Bank charges a minimal fee for the drops, which is below the cost to produce them. Yet there are still patients in our community who need these drops but are unable to afford them.

Recognizing this need, in 2018 the Beauty of Sight Foundation, with the support of the Florida Lions Eye Bank, launched the Serum Tears Assistance Program. This program provides free eye drops for patients in need. To receive free eye drops, patients must complete an application and provide proof of their stated income. Patients are qualified based on the United States Federal Poverty Guidelines and, if approved, receive a 3-month supply of drops completely free of charge.