Umbilical Cord Serum Eye Drops Eye Drops: Uses, Brands & Dosage

Umbilical Cord Serum Eye Drops are a special type of eye medicine used to treat severe and persistent problems on the surface of your eye, prepared by eye banks or hospitals.

Drug class	Blood-Derived
Type	Single
Forms	Eye Drop
Common strength	20% – 50%
Prescription status	Prescription (hospital-prepared)

What Umbilical Cord Serum Eye Drops is used for

Umbilical Cord Serum Eye Drops are a unique and advanced treatment specifically designed for certain challenging eye conditions. They are primarily used to help heal and restore the health of the eye’s surface when other treatments may not be sufficient.

Persistent Epithelial Defects: These are stubborn sores or unhealed areas on the front surface of your eye (the cornea), which can be very painful and affect your vision. These drops help promote healing when the natural healing process is slow or stalled.
Severe Surface Disease: This refers to serious and widespread problems affecting the outer layers of the eye, often leading to chronic discomfort, inflammation, and vision issues. The drops provide essential nutrients and healing factors to help manage and improve these severe conditions.

Your ophthalmologist will determine if this treatment is suitable for your specific eye condition.

How it works

Umbilical Cord Serum Eye Drops work by providing a rich source of natural healing components directly to your eye. The serum, derived from umbilical cord blood, is particularly rich in various growth factors, vitamins, and other essential proteins that are crucial for cell growth, repair, and reducing inflammation. These growth factors are present in higher concentrations in umbilical cord serum compared to adult blood serum, making it a powerful tool for promoting the healing of damaged eye surfaces.

When applied to the eye, these drops help to:

Stimulate the regeneration of damaged corneal and conjunctival cells.
Reduce inflammation and discomfort.
Provide a protective and nourishing environment for the eye’s surface.
Support the natural healing processes of your eye.

Essentially, it’s like giving your eye a concentrated dose of its own natural healing agents to help it recover from severe damage.

How it’s used

Umbilical Cord Serum Eye Drops are a prescription medicine and must be used exactly as directed by your ophthalmologist. The typical dosing involves applying the drops 4 to 8 times a day. Your doctor will provide you with a specific schedule tailored to your condition and how your eye responds to the treatment.

Here are general instructions on how to properly instil eye drops:

Wash Your Hands: Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before touching your eyes or the eye drop bottle.
Prepare the Drop: If the drops are stored in the refrigerator (which is common for these types of specialized drops), allow them to warm up slightly to room temperature by holding the bottle in your hand for a minute, or as advised by your doctor.
Tilt Your Head: Gently tilt your head backward or lie down.
Pull Down Lower Lid: With one hand, gently pull down your lower eyelid to create a small pocket.
Instil the Drop: Hold the dropper bottle upside down with the other hand, positioning it directly over your eye. Avoid touching the tip of the dropper to your eye, eyelid, or any other surface to prevent contamination. Squeeze the bottle gently to release one drop into the pocket you created.
Close Your Eye: Gently close your eye for a minute or two. Avoid blinking or squeezing your eye shut, as this can push the medicine out.
Apply Pressure (Optional): You may gently press your finger against the inner corner of your eye (near your nose) for a minute or two. This helps prevent the medicine from draining into your tear duct and ensures it stays on the eye’s surface.
Wipe Excess: Gently blot any excess liquid around your eye with a clean tissue.
Wash Hands Again: Wash your hands again after applying the drops.

It is crucial to follow your doctor’s instructions regarding the frequency and duration of use. Do not stop using the drops without consulting your ophthalmologist, even if your symptoms improve.

Always follow your ophthalmologist’s exact instructions.

Brands in India

Hospital-prepared or not marketed as a retail brand in India.

Good to know

Prescription eye medicine — use only as directed by a qualified ophthalmologist. This page is for general education and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or a prescription. Do not self-medicate or reuse an old prescription. This is given only by specialists in a hospital or clinic setting and is never for self-use.

Precautions & side effects

Umbilical Cord Serum Eye Drops are a specialized treatment that requires careful handling and administration. Here are important precautions to be aware of:

Allogeneic Product: This medicine is derived from human umbilical cord serum, meaning it comes from a donor. While rigorous screening processes are in place, there is always a theoretical risk associated with allogeneic (donor-derived) products.
Donor Screening: To ensure safety, the umbilical cord serum used is obtained from carefully screened donors. This process helps minimize any potential risks.
Cold Chain Requirement: These drops require strict cold chain management, meaning they must be stored and transported at specific low temperatures to maintain their effectiveness and safety. It is essential to follow all storage instructions provided by the hospital or eye bank.
Prescription Medicine: This is a prescription eye medicine. It must only be used as directed by a qualified ophthalmologist.
Hospital-Prepared: These drops are typically prepared by eye banks or hospitals under strict sterile conditions. They are not commercially available in retail pharmacies.
Not for Self-Medication: Never self-medicate or reuse an old prescription. This medicine is given only by specialists in a hospital or clinic setting and is never for self-use.
Contamination: Always ensure that the tip of the dropper does not touch your eye or any other surface to prevent contamination.
Report Side Effects: If you experience any unusual irritation, redness, pain, or any other adverse reaction after using the drops, contact your ophthalmologist immediately.

Your ophthalmologist will discuss all potential risks and benefits with you before starting this treatment.

Understanding Severe Eye Surface Disease

Our eyes are truly remarkable organs, and the front surface, including the cornea (the clear window at the front) and conjunctiva (the clear membrane covering the white of the eye and inside of the eyelids), plays a crucial role in vision and protecting the eye. Sometimes, due to various reasons like severe dry eye, infections, injuries, or certain autoimmune conditions, this delicate surface can become severely damaged. When the natural healing process is disrupted or insufficient, it can lead to conditions like persistent epithelial defects – stubborn sores on the cornea that just won’t heal – or widespread severe surface disease, causing chronic pain, redness, light sensitivity, and blurred vision.

These conditions can be very challenging to treat with conventional eye drops because the eye needs more than just lubrication; it needs powerful healing factors to regenerate damaged cells and reduce inflammation. This is where specialized treatments like Umbilical Cord Serum Eye Drops come into play, offering a concentrated dose of natural healing agents to help the eye recover and restore its health.

Correct Eye Drop Instillation and Hygiene

Using eye drops correctly is vital for their effectiveness and to prevent complications. Many people don’t realise that improper technique can reduce the medicine’s benefit or even introduce infection. Always start by washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water before touching your eyes or the eye drop bottle. This is your first line of defence against introducing germs. If your drops are stored in the refrigerator, allow them to warm up slightly to room temperature as advised by your doctor, as very cold drops can be uncomfortable. When applying, gently pull down your lower eyelid to create a small pocket. Hold the dropper bottle upside down, positioning it directly over your eye without touching the tip to your eye, eyelid, or any other surface. This prevents contamination of the medicine. Squeeze gently to release one drop into the pocket. After instilling the drop, gently close your eye for a minute or two. Avoid blinking or squeezing your eye shut, as this can push the medicine out. You can also gently press your finger against the inner corner of your eye (near your nose) for a minute; this helps keep the medicine on the eye’s surface longer. Finally, blot any excess liquid with a clean tissue and wash your hands again. Never share your eye drops with anyone else, and always discard them after the recommended period, even if some medicine remains.

Storage and When to Seek Help

Proper storage of your Umbilical Cord Serum Eye Drops is extremely important because they are a specialized biological product. These drops require a strict ‘cold chain,’ meaning they must be stored and transported at specific low temperatures, usually in a refrigerator or freezer, to maintain their effectiveness and safety. Your hospital or eye bank will provide you with precise instructions on how to store your drops at home. It is crucial to follow these instructions diligently. Never expose the drops to high temperatures or direct sunlight. If you are unsure about storage, always contact your ophthalmologist or the hospital pharmacy.

While using these drops, it’s important to monitor your eye’s response and know when to seek medical attention. If you experience any new or worsening symptoms such as increased eye pain, severe redness, swelling, discharge, blurred vision, or any signs of an allergic reaction (like itching, rash, or difficulty breathing), contact your ophthalmologist immediately. These could be signs of an infection, an adverse reaction to the drops, or a worsening of your underlying condition. Remember, this page is for general education and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or a prescription. Always rely on the guidance of your qualified ophthalmologist for your eye care needs.

Frequently asked questions

What are Umbilical Cord Serum Eye Drops used for?

Umbilical Cord Serum Eye Drops are used to treat severe and persistent problems on the surface of your eye, specifically persistent epithelial defects (stubborn sores on the cornea) and severe surface disease, when other treatments may not be enough.

How do Umbilical Cord Serum Eye Drops work?

These drops work by providing a rich source of natural healing components, especially growth factors, directly to your eye. These growth factors are more concentrated in umbilical cord serum than in adult serum and help stimulate cell repair, reduce inflammation, and promote the healing of damaged eye surfaces.

What are the common Indian brands for Umbilical Cord Serum Eye Drops?

Umbilical Cord Serum Eye Drops are not sold under retail brand names. They are typically prepared by eye banks or hospitals themselves, following strict medical guidelines.

How often should I use Umbilical Cord Serum Eye Drops?

The typical dosing for Umbilical Cord Serum Eye Drops is 4 to 8 times a day. However, your ophthalmologist will give you specific instructions on how often and for how long you should use them, based on your individual condition.

Do I need a prescription for Umbilical Cord Serum Eye Drops?

Yes, Umbilical Cord Serum Eye Drops are a prescription medicine. They are prepared in a hospital or clinic setting and must only be used under the direct supervision and prescription of a qualified ophthalmologist. They are never for self-use.

What are the key precautions I should take when using these drops?

Key precautions include ensuring the drops are stored correctly (they require a cold chain), understanding that they are derived from a screened donor (allogeneic product), and using them strictly as prescribed by your ophthalmologist. Always wash your hands before and after use, and avoid touching the dropper tip to your eye or any surface to prevent contamination. Report any unusual side effects to your doctor immediately.

References

Medically reviewed by Dr. C Jagadesh Reddy, Chief Surgeon: Cornea, Cataract and Refractive Surgery — last reviewed 2026-07-28.

This page is for general education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never self-medicate or reuse an old prescription. Always consult a qualified ophthalmologist before starting, changing or stopping any eye medicine.