Self-retained amniotic membrane ‘promising’ treatment for ocular surface health

LOS ANGELES —Placement of self-retained cryopreserved amniotic membrane in patients with moderate to severe dry eye disease improved symptoms, improved the ocular surface and reduced dry eye disease severity for at least 3 months, according to a speaker here.

Perspective from Richard J. Duffey, MD

“Placement of self-retained amniotic membrane is a promising therapy to accelerate the recovery of ocular surface health in patients with moderate to severe dry eye disease,” Marguerite B. McDonald, MD, said at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery meeting.

Marguerite B. McDonald

In the retrospective DREAM study, Prokera Slim (Bio-Tissue) was placed in 97 eyes of 84 patients with moderate to severe dry eye disease not responding to conventional treatment. Follow-up was at least 3 months.

At a mean of 5.4 days after treatment, 88% of patients demonstrated notable improvement of dry-eye symptoms, improvement of ocular surface and reduction of dry eye disease severity. Improvements were sustained for at least 3 months, she said.

Overall, Dry Eye Workshop scores significantly reduced from an average of 3.25 at baseline to 1.44 at 1 week of treatment, 1.45 at 1 month and 1.47 at 3 months, she said.

McDonald suggested further studies be done to determine the longer term effects of one application of Prokera Slim and whether repetitive use of the product would generate a more lasting effect. – by Robert Linnehan

Reference:

McDonald MB. Treatment outcomes in the Dry-Eye Amniotic Membrane Study. Presented at: American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery annual meeting; May 5-9, 2017; Los Angeles.

Disclosure: McDonald reports she is a consultant and a member of the speakers bureau for Bio-Tissue.

Perspective

Richard J. Duffey, MD

Although I have mixed clinical experience with the Prokera Slim (Bio-Tissue) amniotic membrane, I have employed it for persistent epithelial defects with some limited degree of success. I had hoped it would transform the treatment of severe ocular surface disease by re-establishing an intact and healthy ocular surface sooner but have found only nominal long-term success with this modality. Perhaps the treatment of severe dry eyes without a persistent epithelial defect could be improved from a symptomatic standpoint as suggested by these early study results by Dr. McDonald. It was encouraging to see a persistent improvement in dry eye symptoms in these moderate and severe dry eye patients for up to 3 months after amniotic membrane application. Certainly, more studies are warranted from these initial encouraging results.

Richard J. Duffey, MD

OSN Refractive Surgery Board Member

Disclosures: Duffey reports no relevant financial disclosures.

American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery Meeting

Self-retained amniotic membrane ‘promising’ treatment for ocular surface health

Perspective