PRP vs. PRGF Eye Drops: What’s the Difference?

If you’ve been exploring advanced treatments for dry eye or ocular surface disease, you’ve probably come across two alphabet-soup options: PRP and PRGF eye drops. They sound similar—and they are related (like cousins)—but they are not exactly the same.

Both are biologic eye drops made from your own blood and designed to help heal the ocular surface. Think of them as regenerative medicine for your eyes: instead of simply lubricating the surface like artificial tears, they deliver growth factors and proteins that actively support tissue repair.

The Shared Idea: Healing From Your Own Blood

Both Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) and Plasma Rich in Growth Factors (PRGF) are forms of autologous blood therapy, meaning the drops are created from your own blood sample.

The process is similar for both:

1. Blood is drawn
2. The sample is spun in a centrifuge
3. The healing components are separated and turned into eye drops

These drops contain important biologic substances such as:

• Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF)
• Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF)
• Transforming Growth Factor-beta (TGF-β)
• Fibronectin and other healing proteins

These components help:

• Repair the corneal surface
• Improve tear film stability
• Reduce irritation
• Support epithelial healing

Both PRP and PRGF are commonly used for:

• Dry eye disease
• Neurotrophic keratopathy
• Persistent epithelial defects
• Recurrent corneal erosions
• Corneal ulcers
• Sjögren syndrome
• Ocular graft-versus-host disease (GVHD)
• Post-LASIK and post-surgical healing
• Limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD)
• Ocular surface reconstruction

PRP Eye Drops: The Original Biologic Option

PRP, or Platelet-Rich Plasma, is generally the more traditional and widely available option.

It is made by concentrating platelets within plasma. Platelets release growth factors that promote tissue healing and regeneration. Depending on how PRP is prepared, the final product may also contain white blood cells and inflammatory cytokines.

What PRP Contains

• High platelet concentration
• Growth factors released gradually over time
• Plasma proteins
• Variable leukocyte content depending on preparation method

Advantages of PRP

• More widely available
• Simpler processing
• Often lower cost 
• Strong clinical evidence for dry eye and corneal healing

Limitations of PRP

• Significant variability between clinics and preparation methods
• May contain inflammatory cells
• Growth factor concentrations are less standardized
• Some patients experience irritation or burning

A good way to think about PRP is as a powerful but less controlled formulation: effective for many patients, but somewhat dependent on how it is prepared.

PRGF Eye Drops: The Refined Version

PRGF, or Plasma Rich in Growth Factors, is a more standardized and processed form of PRP originally developed by the BTI Biotechnology Institute using the Endoret® system.

The major difference is that PRGF is specifically designed to remove leukocytes (white blood cells) and inflammatory components while preserving concentrated growth factors.

What Makes PRGF Different?

PRGF undergoes additional processing steps:

• Removal of white blood cells
• Controlled platelet activation
• Standardized centrifugation protocols

This creates a cleaner and more predictable product.

Advantages of PRGF

• Lower inflammatory potential
• More standardized formulation
• Better tolerated in sensitive eyes
• Strong evidence for epithelial healing
• Consistent growth factor concentrations

Limitations of PRGF

• More expensive
• Requires specialized equipment and protocols
• Less widely available

In simple terms:

• PRP = healing plus potential inflammation
• PRGF = healing with fewer inflammatory components

What Does the Clinical Evidence Show?

Studies show that both PRP and PRGF can significantly improve:

• Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) scores
• Tear Break-Up Time (TBUT)
• Corneal staining
• Patient symptoms

Dry Eye Disease

Both therapies are particularly helpful in moderate-to-severe dry eyes that have not responded well to conventional artificial tears.

Research sometimes suggests PRGF may provide:

• Faster symptom relief
• Better tolerability
• Reduced inflammation in chronic ocular surface disease

Post-Surgical Healing

After LASIK or other corneal procedures, patients often experience dryness, burning, and delayed epithelial recovery.

PRP has been shown to:

• Accelerate epithelial healing
• Support corneal nerve regeneration

PRGF may offer additional benefits:

• Reduced inflammatory response
• More predictable comfort
• Improved tolerance in sensitive post-operative patients

Persistent Epithelial Defects and Corneal Ulcers

Both PRP and PRGF are used clinically for difficult corneal wounds and persistent epithelial defects.

PRGF may have an advantage in severe ocular surface disease because:

• Growth factor concentrations are standardized
• Inflammatory components are minimized
• Anti-fibrotic properties have been demonstrated in laboratory studies

Safety and Practical Considerations

Both PRP and PRGF generally have excellent safety profiles because they are autologous products derived from the patient’s own blood. The risk of rejection is therefore extremely low.

However, preparation quality matters. These drops are typically compounded in specialized laboratories or ophthalmology clinics under physician supervision.

Neither PRP nor PRGF eye drops are currently FDA-approved as mass-produced commercial products.

Storage Differences

PRGF:

• Can be frozen for up to 12 months
• Stable at room temperature for approximately 7 days

PRP:

• Typically stable refrigerated for several weeks
• Frozen storage varies depending on preparation

So Which One Is Better?

It’s like picking who your favorite child might be – there is no universal winner.

A simple comparison:

• PRP is effective but can be variable
• PRGF is more refined and standardized

Final Thoughts

Regenerative eye drops are one of the more exciting developments in ocular surface disease treatment. They move beyond symptom management and actually promote healing.

PRP opened the door. PRGF is refining the experience.

Both work best as part of a broader dry eye management plan that may also include:

• Artificial tears
• Anti-inflammatory therapy
• Lid hygiene
• Environmental modifications
• Nutritional support

Neither is magic—but for many patients, they come pretty close.

By: Jean Mengoli, OD