Amniotic membrane transplantation for persistent epithelial defects with ulceration.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether preserved human amniotic membrane can be used as an alternative substrate for treating persistent corneal epithelial defects with sterile ulceration.


METHODS
Amniotic membrane transplantation was performed in 11 eyes of 11 consecutive patients with corneal ulcers of different causes that had persisted for a mean +/- SD of 17.5 +/- 13.9 weeks.


RESULTS
Ten patients healed in 3.9 +/- 2.3 weeks (P < .01) without recurrence for 9.0 +/- 5.9 months. One patient failed to heal because of preexisting corneal perforation pursuant to severe rheumatoid arthritis.


CONCLUSIONS
Amniotic membrane transplantation may be considered an alternative method for treating persistent epithelial defects and sterile ulceration that are refractory to conventional treatment and before considering treatment by conjunctival flaps or tarsorrhaphy.
Lee
S H
SH
Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami School of Medicine, Florida.
Tseng
S C
SC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000650:Amnion / Q000637:transplantation*; D003315:Cornea / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D015925:Cryopreservation; D004848:Epithelium / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015948:Keratoplasty, Penetrating; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009926:Organ Preservation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity