Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the biological content and activity of freeze-dried plasma rich in growth factors eye drops after their storage at 4°C and at room temperature for 3 months with respect to fresh samples (time 0).

Methods: Plasma rich in growth factors was obtained after blood centrifugation from three healthy donors. After platelet activation, the obtained plasma rich in growth factors eye drops were lyophilized alone or in combination with lyoprotectant (trehalose), then they were stored for 3 months at room temperature or at 4°C. Several growth factors were analyzed at each storage time and condition. Furthermore, the proliferative and migratory potential of freeze-dried plasma rich in growth factors eye drops kept for 3 months at different temperature conditions was evaluated on primary human keratocytes.

Results: The different growth factors analyzed maintained their levels at each time and storage condition. Freeze-dried plasma rich in growth factors eye drops stored at room temperature or 4°C for 3 months showed no significant differences on the proliferative activity of keratocytes in comparison with fresh samples. However, the number of migratory human keratocytes increased significantly after treatment with lyophilized plasma rich in growth factors eye drops kept for 3 months compared to those obtained at time 0. No significant differences were observed between the freeze-dried plasma rich in growth factors eye drops whether mixed or not with lyoprotectant.

Conclusion: Freeze-dried plasma rich in growth factors eye drops preserve the main growth factors and their biological activity after storage at room temperature or 4°C for up to 3 months. Lyophilized plasma rich in growth factors eye drops conserve their biological features even without the use of lyoprotectants for at least 3 months.