Technological breakthroughs in the medical world are opening brand-new doors in the treatment of many chronic and degenerative diseases previously thought to be incurable. In recent years, "Regenerative Medicine" applications have gained prominence in the field of ophthalmology, maximizing the body's own potential for self-healing and giving new life to damaged eye tissues. Among the most powerful tools of these innovative approaches are PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) and Growth Hormone (Growth Factor) Injections, which offer groundbreaking results in halting cell death and supporting nerve functions.
The Power of Regenerative Medicine: What is PRP?
PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) is a natural, safe, and highly effective cellular regeneration treatment obtained entirely using the patient's own blood. Our blood contains specialized cells called "platelets" that are the first to arrive at any site of injury or tissue damage to initiate the healing process. Inside these platelets are numerous "growth factors" that repair tissues, trigger cell division, and support the formation of new blood vessels.
The primary goal of PRP treatment is to concentrate these healing cells in a laboratory setting and deliver them directly to the damaged area in very high doses. Since it is derived from the patient's own cells, there is no risk of allergic reaction, tissue rejection, or side effects; it is a completely natural and personalized source of healing taken from the body’s own "pharmacy."
What are Growth Hormone (Growth Factor) Injections?
The retina and optic nerve layers of the eye are extensions of the central nervous system. When these nerve tissues are damaged, their capacity to repair themselves is quite low. Growth Hormones or specific Growth Factors (such as NGF - Nerve Growth Factor and BDNF - Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor) are vital proteins necessary for these tissues to survive, be nourished, and maintain their functions.
Injecting these specific growth hormones/factors—either synthesized or obtained from enriched plasma—into or around the eye restarts cellular communication. By correcting the energy metabolism of dying (apoptotic) cells, they send a "survive" signal and aim to stop the destructive process at the cellular level.
Which Diseases are PRP and Growth Hormone Treatments Used For?
At our clinic, these advanced regenerative treatments are meticulously applied to diseases characterized by cellular destruction where traditional medical and surgical methods may be insufficient:
- Retinitis Pigmentosa (Night Blindness): Successfully applied as a supportive treatment to extend the lifespan of dying photoreceptor cells, slow the disease's progression, and delay the narrowing of the visual field.
- Macular Degeneration (Yellow Spot Disease): Preferred particularly in the dry type of the disease to nourish and revitalize cells in the macular region.
- Optic Neuropathies and Optic Atrophy: Applied to support thinned and pale optic nerves (optic discs) damaged by glaucoma, trauma, or toxic factors, and to protect remaining nerve fibers.
- Severe Dry Eye and Corneal Ulcers: In severe dry eye syndromes where standard drops are insufficient, or in non-healing corneal wounds, the regenerative power of PRP rapidly treats the ocular surface. (In these cases, PRP can be administered as specially prepared eye drops instead of injections).
Mechanism of Action: How Does It Provide Healing in the Eye?
The PRP and Growth Factor injections performed by Dr. Ayşe Öner initiate a miraculous cellular awakening in the eye tissues:
- Neuroprotection: Intensive growth factors create a protective shield around weakened nerve cells, increasing their resistance to external factors and blocking programmed cell death.
- Angiogenesis: It supports the weakened micro-vessel network in the posterior layer of the eye, maximizing cellular nutrition by ensuring more blood and oxygen reach ischemic tissues.
- Anti-Inflammatory Effect: It suppresses chronic cellular inflammation that causes destruction in the retina, helping to clear toxic waste and allowing the cells to "breathe."
The Application Process with Advanced Technology
Regenerative injections are not heavy surgical operations; they are fast, painless, and comfortable procedures performed under outpatient or sterile minor intervention room conditions.
Step-by-Step PRP Application:
- Blood Collection: A small amount of blood (approx. 10-20 cc) is taken from the patient's arm into specialized sterile tubes.
- Centrifugation: The blood is placed in high-speed centrifuge devices. In about 10-15 minutes, the red and white cells settle at the bottom, while the golden-yellow "Plasma" (PRP), enriched billions of times with growth factors and platelets, is obtained.
- Painless Injection: The eye is completely numbed with anesthetic drops. The miracle plasma or Growth Hormone solution is injected by our specialist under the outer membrane of the eye (subtenon) or directly into the eye (intravitreal) using microscopic needles.
The entire process, including preparation, takes about 30-40 minutes. Patients can return to their daily routines immediately after the procedure.
Have you already had any recent diagnostic tests like an OCT or visual field exam that you could share with our team for an initial review?
Frequently asked questions
Absolutely not. PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) is a 100% natural serum derived entirely from your own blood. A small amount of blood taken from your arm is separated in special centrifuge devices, and the platelets (and the growth factors within them)—the "healing workers" of the body—are concentrated and applied to your eye. Since it consists of your own cells, the risk of allergy or rejection is zero.
PRP is a miraculous healer usually targeting the front surface of the eye. It rapidly repairs the ocular surface in conditions such as severe Dry Eye that does not respond to any drops, non-healing corneal ulcers, and chemical burns. In recent years, specially prepared growth factor cocktails have also been included in our clinic's supportive protocols for treatments targeting the back of the eye to increase the nourishment of the retina and macula (yellow spot).
We realize how valuable your time is. When you step into our clinic, your blood is drawn immediately, and while you sip your coffee in our VIP lounge, your PRP serum is prepared in our laboratory within approximately 20 minutes. Your specially formulated serum is then either provided for use in drop format or applied to the relevant area via painless micro-injections by our specialist physician. The entire process takes only a few hours.
