Get answers to commonly asked questions about the Vital Tears program, cost and insurance coverage, and using and storing your tears.
Plus, learn more about ocular surface conditions and treatments. Get the information you need to make informed decisions about your eye health.
When your doctor decides that Vital Tears are right for you, we make it easy to get started.
We can help connect you to a doctor in your area that can determine if Vital Tears is right for you. Alternatively, if you already have a eye doctor that you would like to become a Vital Tears provider, we would be happy to reach out and get the clinic registered and trained. Simply provide us with your doctor’s contact information and we will reach out.
Our priority is getting your serum tears shipped as soon as 48 hours from your blood draw. Our dedicated Patient Services team will work with you to have your tears delivered quickly and conveniently.
While some insurance companies reimburse for Vital Tears when patients submit a claim, generally Vital Tears is a self-pay service. Our Patient Services team can provide forms to help you submit a claim to your insurance provider. You may contact Patient Services at 800.360.9592 for more information.
The cost of Vital Tears is based on the treatment plan that your doctor has ordered. Our Patient Services team can provide the cost of your prescription and discuss our convenient payment plans with you. Please call us at 800-360-9592.
Depending on your physician’s order, between three and 14 vials of blood will be drawn and processed for Vital Tears. This may sound like a lot, but it is less than a few ounces.
The most important thing you can do to ensure a successful blood draw is hydrate. Please try to consume half your body weight in ounces of water in the 24 hours leading up to your blood draw. For best results you should also avoid or limit caffeine, alcohol, and high fat foods for 24 hours before your blood draw appointment. You do not need to fast before the blood draw.
Because Vital Tears are made from biological material and are preservative free, they must be kept refrigerated.
Your Vital Tears will be shipped cold or frozen. Store the bottle of tears you are using in the refrigerator and put the remaining vials upright in the freezer. A bottle of Vital Tears is good for one week in the refrigerator. Stop using the bottle and discard it after seven days. The bottles stored in the freezer are good for six months.
Because Vital Tears are made from biological material and are preservative free, they must be kept refrigerated. It is recommended that you carry drops in a cooler with ice or frozen gel packs if you are going to be out for more than an hour or are planning on being in hot temperatures.
If your Vital Tears must be out of the refrigerator for more than one hour, carry them in a cooler with ice or frozen gel packs. You may also use a portable medicine cooler to store your tears when away from home.
Below you will find some resources for patients with ocular surface conditions.
Please note: These links are provided for your convenience. Vital Tears does not monitor content for accuracy on these, or any other websites it links to and shall have no responsibility or liability for the content contained on these sites.
*Discuss with your provider the benefits and risks associated with the use of autologous serum eye drops. If you and your provider conclude that the use of autologous serum eye drops are appropriate for you, your provider will provide you further instructions for using Vital Tears. Your provider’s directions for use will be provided with your customized order.
Autologous serum eye drops (ASEDs), autologous serum tears (ASTs), or just serum tears are customized drops made from a patient’s own blood.
Discover our network of ophthalmologists and optometrists experienced in ocular surface conditions and trained in the Vital Tears protocol.
10560 N. Ambassador Dr., Suite 210 Kansas City, MO 64153
(800) 360-9592 patientservices@vitaltears.org