Our eyes are our window to the world, yet ocular health encompasses more than just clear vision. Dry eyes can make daily life uncomfortable and irritating.
Dry eye disease arises when the eyes can’t produce or retain the lubrication needed for optimal health.
Various factors can reduce tear production, including:
Aging
Autoimmune diseases
Allergic eye diseases
Vitamin A deficiency
Medications such as antihistamines, decongestants, antidepressants, drugs for Parkinson’s disease, birth control, acne, and high blood pressure
Corneal nerve sensitivity from contact lens use, laser eye surgery, or nerve damage
Tears are essential for eye health, lubricating and protecting the delicate ocular surface. Reduced tear production can lead to serious complications, such as:
Eye inflammation
Corneal abrasions and ulcers
Damage to the ocular surface
Eye infections
Diminished quality of life, making daily activities difficult or impossible
Given the potential risks of chronic dry eyes, finding safe and effective treatments for your patients is crucial. Sometimes, addressing the cause of dry eyes is straightforward, such as stopping the offending medication or correcting a Vitamin A deficiency. Other times, the solution is more complex.
Current treatment options for dry eyes include:
Antibiotics and corticosteroids (orally or as eye drops) to reduce inflammation
Eye inserts that mimic artificial tears
Cholinergic drugs to increase tear production
However, these treatments come with negative side effects. Antibiotics can disrupt the microbiome and are a short-term solution. Corticosteroids suppress the immune system. Eye inserts can be uncomfortable, and cholinergics have numerous side effects and contraindications.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a promising alternative, showing safety and effectiveness in treating dry eye disease. Studies indicate that topical PRP eye drops can treat moderate to severe dry eye disease unresponsive to conventional treatments. PRP has also been utilized for ocular surface surgical reconstruction.
Platelet-Rich Plasma for Ophthalmic Concerns
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is emerging as a promising treatment in ophthalmology, harnessing the body’s natural healing processes to repair delicate eye tissues. Unlike treatments that artificially suppress inflammation or boost tear production, PRP promotes the regeneration of damaged cells and tissues within the eyes.
How PRP Works
PRP stimulates the body’s innate healing cascade. When an injury occurs, the body responds by sending a surge of platelet cells to the site. These platelets, once activated, release a variety of growth factors, proteins, and cytokines crucial for cell regeneration and tissue healing.
PRP therapy enhances this natural response by isolating and concentrating platelets from the patient’s own blood. This platelet-rich plasma, containing 5 to 10 times the concentration of platelets found in whole blood, is then applied topically to the eyes as eye drops. This concentrated PRP amplifies the body’s healing response significantly.
Advantages of PRP
One of the key benefits of PRP is that it is an autologous therapy, using the patient’s own blood. This eliminates the risk of cross-reactivity, disease transmission, or immune reaction, making it a safe and effective option for treating eye conditions.
Applications in Ophthalmology
Studies have shown that PRP eye drops are effective in treating moderate to severe cases of dry eye disease, particularly those unresponsive to conventional treatments. PRP has also been successfully used in ocular surface surgical reconstruction, further demonstrating its versatility and efficacy in promoting ocular health.
The PRP Process
To prepare platelet-rich plasma (PRP), the following steps are carried out:
Blood Collection: A small sample of blood is drawn from the patient and placed into the JUVA PRP blood tube.
Platelet Concentration: Using the JUVA PRP centrifuge, platelets are separated from other blood components, and their concentration is increased by removing some of the plasma.
Application: The resulting platelet-rich plasma is then applied to and around the patient’s injured site.
Healing Activation: The concentrated growth factors in the plasma trigger a mild inflammatory response, effectively jump-starting the body’s natural healing process.
The entire procedure takes about one hour, including preparation and recovery time. For a detailed demonstration of each step, please view our instructional video.
JUVA PRP
JUVA PRP is an FDA-cleared medical device with esteemed 510K clearance, specifically designed to prepare patients’ blood for PRP therapy quickly and efficiently.
Our patented design generates high-concentration, high-quality platelet-rich plasma, which physicians can use to stimulate the healing process. This can lead to tissue regeneration at the injured site, effectively accelerating normal healing processes.
Benefits of JUVA PRP
Safety
Completely closed, sterile system.
Double safety cap prevents outside air from entering.
No risk of contamination since the process occurs within a closed system.
Ease of Use
Each kit comes pre-packaged.
Clear chambers allow visibility of all blood sample components.
Easily identifiable buffy coat layer for precise separation into the desired PRP type.
Option to eliminate red blood cells from the final PRP product.
Quick and Convenient
Closed system allows for more treatments in less time.
Customize final PRP composition for different applications.
PRP can be administered immediately after preparation with our kit, no advanced preparation needed.
High Concentration
One kit holds 20 cc of fluid (3 cc of anticoagulant + 17 cc of whole blood) and produces either 4 cc of highly concentrated PRP or 10 cc of lower concentration PRP.
JUVA PRP has a higher platelet recovery percentage than similar products from competitors.
Consistent Results
Platelets need red and white blood cells to survive long-term. Unlike gel separators that capture platelets within the gel, our kit allows you to create consistently efficient PRP at desired concentrations.
Quality
Our kit can recover over 90% of platelets from a blood sample to produce the highest quality PRP.
Manufactured according to ISO 13485 standards with thorough gamma-ray sterilization.
Made only with biocompatibility-certified raw materials.
Training & Support
One-on-one, in-service training via GoToTraining, FaceTime, or Zoom.
User Manual with photos and detailed descriptions.
Platelet-Rich Plasma CME Certification course available for learning cosmetic applications, including PRP Facial and PRP Facelift.
To view and order JUVA PRP kits and centrifuges, visit our online store. For questions and detailed product discussions, contact us today at (508) 588.4400 (JUVA-PRP).
