Including patient insights to improve the information materials provided to serum eye drop recipients

Severe dry eye disease is a commonly diagnosed condition that can be treated with serum eye drops (SEDs). SEDs are manufactured from the serum obtained from whole-blood donation. Patient information provided with SEDs has not been evaluated so far. This study aims to understand patients' views on SED materials and identify possible improvements.

The study period was between 1 November 2021 and 30 June 2022. Eligible patients were supplied with either autologous SED (AutoSED) or patient-tailored (allogeneic) SED (PT SED) manufactured by Australian Red Cross Lifeblood. Patients were invited to participate via email or post and completed an online survey or participated in a semi-structured telephone interview.

A total of 64 patients supplied with AutoSED and 18 with PT SED completed the survey, of whom 10 and 8, respectively, were interviewed. More AutoSED (89.1%) than PT SED (58.8%) patients reported that the instructions on the carton were helpful. More AutoSED patients (78.1%) than PT SED (55.6%) reported receiving the SED brochure and that the information was easy to understand. Information on how to dispose the eye drops and the risk of treatment was easy to understand. Sixteen patients reported accessing the quick-response code to view the SED video and indicated that it was easy to understand.

Patient views on the materials provided with SEDs were generally positive. Suggested improvements included changing the location of sealing stickers on the carton, providing further detailed information on shelf-life after power supply challenges and natural disasters and storage and handling during travel.