Valley Family Optometry and OAB+ Blood Collection Inc. Collaborate to Provide Innovative Treatment for Dry Eyes

 

December 4, 2023, Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia

 

Valley Family Optometry is excited to announce that it will be working with OAB+ Blood Collection Inc. to deliver an innovative natural therapy for patients suffering from dry eyes. The clinic expects to begin offering the new treatment known as PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) tears early in the new year. 

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PRP tears are biological eye drops that are made from the patient’s own blood,” says Dr. Krista Flynn. “Our blood contains platelets which are rich in healing growth factors, cytokines, albumin and several other natural vitamins. These factors promote the healing of damaged tissue, thus improving the signs and symptoms of dry eyes. Best of all, PRP tears are completely natural, and do not contain any preservatives, additives or stabilizers.” Dr. Flynn believes Valley Family Optometry will be the first optometry clinic in Nova Scotia and perhaps Atlantic Canada, to offer this new treatment.

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Valley Family Optometry has chosen OAB + Blood Collection Inc. to draw the blood from patients to produce the PRP tears. President and Licensed Practical Nurse, Lisa Campbell says “We are thrilled to be involved in this leading-edge therapy for patients suffering from dry eye disease.” 

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Dr. Flynn says Valley Family Optometry is passionate about treating dry eye disease and offering new therapies to their patients. “Dry eye is a complex condition and finding the right solution for a patient can be challenging. Being able to provide relief for a patient that has been suffering from dry eyes for years is extremely rewarding.” 

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Once the blood is drawn, it is placed in a centrifuge machine to separate the blood components needed to make the eye drops. The drops contain a high concentration of platelets suspended in plasma. The process of producing the PRP eye drops takes about 45 minutes to complete. 

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“Patients will typically use 1 drop, 4 times a day for 3-6 months,” says Dr. Flynn. “Sometimes these drops will be combined with other dry eye therapies. This treatment is perfect for patients who have been unable to find relief with conventional therapies, for patients that react to prescription medications, or are sensitive to preservatives and are looking for a more natural solution.”

Currently, PRP tears are not covered by MSI or private insurance. Dr. Flynn estimates the cost of the treatment at between $200 to $250 a month depending on how often the patient requires the drops.