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Amniotic membrane transplant with PK could improve corneal graft outcomes
Cornea. 2011;30(3):269-272.
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Transplanting an amniotic membrane patch during penetrating keratoplasty may provide fast and stable re-epithelialization, along with possible immunological benefits, a study found.
Amniotic membrane patches were transplanted in 16 eyes of 16 patients who had at least 6 months of follow-up. Of 14 eyes that underwent emergency keratoplasty, 10 had corneal perforation.
In 15 of 16 cases, the amniotic membrane patch fell off after a mean 8 ± 3 days without residual tissue. The epithelium closed completely after a mean 10 ± 8 days in 15 eyes, but the epithelial defect recurred after 3 to 6 months in three eyes, the study authors said.
One eye developed a serious calcification that required EDTA chelation after 1 month.
After an average 18-month follow-up period, 13 of 16 corneal grafts were clear.
Thirteen eyes had a soft contact lens applied after PK, and five patients received systemic immunosuppressive medication for 4 to 6 months.
According to the authors, the technique will not be successful in eyes with total limbal stem cell insufficiency. In addition, topical autologous serum may help to achieve a permanent epithelial closure in eyes with a defective epithelium.