Resources for Clinical Staff

Welcome to
Vital Tears.

This page provides everything you need to know to set up your clinic, place orders, and educate patients — all in one place.

Still have questions? Email us at info@vitaltears.org

Helpful linksAccount setupPricing & materialsPatient FAQsTravel tips

Ordering & Account Management

1

How to set up your account

When you have completed your registration, you will receive an email with a link to activate your account in the provider portal. Once activated, you may log in to the portal with the username and password you selected during account activation. If you forget your password, you may reset it by going to the portal and clicking on Forgot Password.

Your account can be set up as a clinic-wide account that allows one person to enter orders for multiple providers, or you may set it up for each provider to enter their own orders.

2

How to add a doctor to your account

You may add additional doctors to your account by clicking the Add a Doctor tab in the provider portal.

You will need to enter the doctor’s email address, phone number, and license information to add them to your account.

3

Find Blood Collection Facilities

  • Sign into your account on our Provider Portal.
  • Navigate to the Blood Collection Locations tab.
  • Enter your zip code and select the radius of search. If there are no locations near you, your patients may use our mobile phlebotomy service.
  • If you know a blood collection facility that may be interested in working with Vital Tears, please email us at bcfsupport@vitaltears.org.

Pricing Explained

The cost of Vital Tears is based on the treatment plan the doctor prescribes. We do offer payment options to help make Vital Tears more affordable. While some insurance companies will reimburse for Vital Tears when a claim is submitted, Vital Tears is generally a self-pay service. Our Patient Services team can provide forms to help your patients submit a claim to your insurance provider.

Patient Education Materials

When you have completed your registration, we mail a kit of patient education materials to your practice. You can always order additional materials online.

Patient FAQs

No, you do not need to fast before your blood draw. You are encouraged to drink plenty of water beginning 24 hours before your blood draw.

The amount of blood we need to process your tears depends on the concentration and dosage ordered by your doctor, but it is typically less than a few ounces.

Our priority is delivering your serum tears in as little as 48 hours after the blood draw.

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 will last 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.

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.

When flying with your Vital Tears, TSA recommends informing the TSA officer that you have medically necessary liquids and separate them from other belongings before screening begins. Also declare accessories associated with your liquid medication, such as a cooler or gel freezer packs. Labeling these items can help facilitate the screening process.

Traveling with Vital Tears

It is very important to keep your Vital Tears cool when traveling. Vital Tears does not sell containers for storage; but there are many convenient and portable products that you can use to keep your Vital Tears cold.

Please note: We do not sell or endorse these or any related products. Use your own judgement when keeping tears cool to the touch.

We're here to help.

Our Patient Services team supports your clinic with order entry, account management, and patient questions.

imgi_2_Albert-Cheung-MD-e1772566065336-1024x1024

Albert Cheung, MD

Cornea & External Disease · Virginia Eye Consultants

Dr. Cheung is part of the skilled Cornea team at Virginia Eye Consultants in Norfolk, Virginia. He attended medical school at Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine prior to completing his ophthalmology residency at Beaumont Health System in Michigan. He then went on to complete a fellowship in Cornea and External Disease at University of Cincinnati/Cincinnati Eye Institute. He is an Associate Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at Eastern Virginia Medical School. There, he has worked closely with the residents and has been awarded the Attending Physician of the Year award multiple times. Dr. Cheung has given national and international lectures as well as directed multiple courses and skills transfer labs at AAO and ASCRS. Additionally, he has authored more than 110 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters. His clinical and research efforts have focused on severe ocular surface disease and lamellar keratoplasty.

imgi_2_Albert-Cheung-MD-e1772566065336-1024x1024

Albert Cheung, MD

Cornea & External Disease · Virginia Eye Consultants

Dr. Cheung is part of the skilled Cornea team at Virginia Eye Consultants in Norfolk, Virginia. He attended medical school at Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine prior to completing his ophthalmology residency at Beaumont Health System in Michigan. He then went on to complete a fellowship in Cornea and External Disease at University of Cincinnati/Cincinnati Eye Institute. He is an Associate Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at Eastern Virginia Medical School. There, he has worked closely with the residents and has been awarded the Attending Physician of the Year award multiple times. Dr. Cheung has given national and international lectures as well as directed multiple courses and skills transfer labs at AAO and ASCRS. Additionally, he has authored more than 110 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters. His clinical and research efforts have focused on severe ocular surface disease and lamellar keratoplasty.

imgi_2_Albert-Cheung-MD-e1772566065336-1024x1024

Albert Cheung, MD

Cornea & External Disease · Virginia Eye Consultants

Dr. Cheung is part of the skilled Cornea team at Virginia Eye Consultants in Norfolk, Virginia. He attended medical school at Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine prior to completing his ophthalmology residency at Beaumont Health System in Michigan. He then went on to complete a fellowship in Cornea and External Disease at University of Cincinnati/Cincinnati Eye Institute. He is an Associate Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at Eastern Virginia Medical School. There, he has worked closely with the residents and has been awarded the Attending Physician of the Year award multiple times. Dr. Cheung has given national and international lectures as well as directed multiple courses and skills transfer labs at AAO and ASCRS. Additionally, he has authored more than 110 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters. His clinical and research efforts have focused on severe ocular surface disease and lamellar keratoplasty.

imgi_2_Albert-Cheung-MD-e1772566065336-1024x1024

Albert Cheung, MD

Cornea & External Disease · Virginia Eye Consultants

Dr. Cheung is part of the skilled Cornea team at Virginia Eye Consultants in Norfolk, Virginia. He attended medical school at Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine prior to completing his ophthalmology residency at Beaumont Health System in Michigan. He then went on to complete a fellowship in Cornea and External Disease at University of Cincinnati/Cincinnati Eye Institute. He is an Associate Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at Eastern Virginia Medical School. There, he has worked closely with the residents and has been awarded the Attending Physician of the Year award multiple times. Dr. Cheung has given national and international lectures as well as directed multiple courses and skills transfer labs at AAO and ASCRS. Additionally, he has authored more than 110 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters. His clinical and research efforts have focused on severe ocular surface disease and lamellar keratoplasty.

imgi_2_Albert-Cheung-MD-e1772566065336-1024x1024

Albert Cheung, MD

Cornea & External Disease · Virginia Eye Consultants

Dr. Cheung is part of the skilled Cornea team at Virginia Eye Consultants in Norfolk, Virginia. He attended medical school at Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine prior to completing his ophthalmology residency at Beaumont Health System in Michigan. He then went on to complete a fellowship in Cornea and External Disease at University of Cincinnati/Cincinnati Eye Institute. He is an Associate Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at Eastern Virginia Medical School. There, he has worked closely with the residents and has been awarded the Attending Physician of the Year award multiple times. Dr. Cheung has given national and international lectures as well as directed multiple courses and skills transfer labs at AAO and ASCRS. Additionally, he has authored more than 110 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters. His clinical and research efforts have focused on severe ocular surface disease and lamellar keratoplasty.

imgi_2_Albert-Cheung-MD-e1772566065336-1024x1024

Albert Cheung, MD

Cornea & External Disease · Virginia Eye Consultants

Dr. Cheung is part of the skilled Cornea team at Virginia Eye Consultants in Norfolk, Virginia. He attended medical school at Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine prior to completing his ophthalmology residency at Beaumont Health System in Michigan. He then went on to complete a fellowship in Cornea and External Disease at University of Cincinnati/Cincinnati Eye Institute. He is an Associate Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at Eastern Virginia Medical School. There, he has worked closely with the residents and has been awarded the Attending Physician of the Year award multiple times. Dr. Cheung has given national and international lectures as well as directed multiple courses and skills transfer labs at AAO and ASCRS. Additionally, he has authored more than 110 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters. His clinical and research efforts have focused on severe ocular surface disease and lamellar keratoplasty.

imgi_2_Albert-Cheung-MD-e1772566065336-1024x1024

Albert Cheung, MD

Cornea & External Disease · Virginia Eye Consultants

Dr. Cheung is part of the skilled Cornea team at Virginia Eye Consultants in Norfolk, Virginia. He attended medical school at Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine prior to completing his ophthalmology residency at Beaumont Health System in Michigan. He then went on to complete a fellowship in Cornea and External Disease at University of Cincinnati/Cincinnati Eye Institute. He is an Associate Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at Eastern Virginia Medical School. There, he has worked closely with the residents and has been awarded the Attending Physician of the Year award multiple times. Dr. Cheung has given national and international lectures as well as directed multiple courses and skills transfer labs at AAO and ASCRS. Additionally, he has authored more than 110 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters. His clinical and research efforts have focused on severe ocular surface disease and lamellar keratoplasty.

imgi_2_Albert-Cheung-MD-e1772566065336-1024x1024

Albert Cheung, MD

Cornea & External Disease · Virginia Eye Consultants

Dr. Cheung is part of the skilled Cornea team at Virginia Eye Consultants in Norfolk, Virginia. He attended medical school at Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine prior to completing his ophthalmology residency at Beaumont Health System in Michigan. He then went on to complete a fellowship in Cornea and External Disease at University of Cincinnati/Cincinnati Eye Institute. He is an Associate Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at Eastern Virginia Medical School. There, he has worked closely with the residents and has been awarded the Attending Physician of the Year award multiple times. Dr. Cheung has given national and international lectures as well as directed multiple courses and skills transfer labs at AAO and ASCRS. Additionally, he has authored more than 110 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters. His clinical and research efforts have focused on severe ocular surface disease and lamellar keratoplasty.

imgi_2_Albert-Cheung-MD-e1772566065336-1024x1024

Albert Cheung, MD

Cornea & External Disease · Virginia Eye Consultants

Dr. Cheung is part of the skilled Cornea team at Virginia Eye Consultants in Norfolk, Virginia. He attended medical school at Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine prior to completing his ophthalmology residency at Beaumont Health System in Michigan. He then went on to complete a fellowship in Cornea and External Disease at University of Cincinnati/Cincinnati Eye Institute. He is an Associate Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at Eastern Virginia Medical School. There, he has worked closely with the residents and has been awarded the Attending Physician of the Year award multiple times. Dr. Cheung has given national and international lectures as well as directed multiple courses and skills transfer labs at AAO and ASCRS. Additionally, he has authored more than 110 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters. His clinical and research efforts have focused on severe ocular surface disease and lamellar keratoplasty.