This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
Amniotic membrane extract shows efficacy in treating persistent corneal epithelial defects
ROME — Persistent corneal epithelial defects could be effectively treated with topical application of amnion membrane extract, or AMX, a lyophilized extract of fresh human amniotic membrane that has been shown to have growth factor activity in vitro and in vivo.
"We have proven that AMX has positive effects in stimulating cell proliferation and neuroregeneration. Topical application avoids the necessity of amnion transplant surgery," Kenneth R. Kenyon, MD, said at the annual joint meeting of Ocular Surgery News and the Italian Society of Ophthalmology.
Some patients have already been treated with AMX on a compassionate-use basis.
"Preliminary success was obtained in healing neurotrophic epithelial defects, and there are potential applications for excimer laser procedures, for corneal transplantation and other ocular surface diseases," Dr. Kenyon said.
AMX may become commercially available if the results of an open-label multicenter clinical trial conducted through the Veneto Eye Bank in Italy confirm these preliminary findings.