Patient-reported outcomes of autologous serum tears for the treatment of dry eye disease in a large cohort.

PURPOSE: To assess patient satisfaction with autologous serum tears (AST) for the treatment of dry eye disease (DED).

METHODS

A prospective, observational case-series, including 100 participants who were treated with AST for DED. The five-item Dry Eye Questionnaire (DEQ-5), Symptom Assessment in Dry Eye (SANDE) Questionnaire, and the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM) were used to assess DED symptoms and patients' treatment satisfaction.

RESULTS

The duration of AST treatment was 1-6 months in 25%, 6-12 months in 24%, 1-2 years in 22%, and 2-3 years in 29% of the participants. The mean cumulative DEQ-5 score was 12.7 ± 3.8 and 65% of the participants scored ≥12, which may suggest an underlying diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome. The use of other treatments was significantly reduced after the use of AST (P < 0.001). The mean total SANDE score improved from 79.5 ± 21.8, 95% CI [75.2, 83.8] before to 42.2 ± 23.2, 95% CI [37.6, 46.8] after using AST (P < 0.001). The mean TSQM treatment efficacy, convenience, and global satisfaction scores were 73.1 ± 17.2, 95% CI [69.6, 76.5], 72.5 ± 17.5, 95% CI [69.0, 76.0], and 74.6 ± 22.7, 95% CI [70.1, 79.0]. No patients reported any side effects.

CONCLUSION

Autologous serum tears treatment in severe dry eye disease significantly reduced dry eye symptoms, with high patients' satisfaction scores.