[Monolayered amniotic membrane transplantation as a palliative treatment for bullous keratopathy].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the efficacy of monolayered amniotic membrane transplantation for short and medium-term symptomatic improvement in those cases of bullous keratopathy where a penetrating keratoplasty is not indicated.


METHODS
Amniotic membrane transplantation was performed in five patients with symptomatic bullous keratopathy in which penetrating keratoplasty was not indicated. Data about bandage contact lens need before and after surgery, existence of ocular pain, occurrence and extension of bullae, epithelial defects, and persistence of amniotic membrane, were obtained at days 4 and 14, and months 1, 2, 4 and 6 after surgery.


RESULTS
No pain, bullae or epithelial defects were present at day 14 in any patient. However, progressive dissolvement of the amniotic membrane was accompanied with more bullae and pain. At 6th month, 4 of 5 patients required bandage contact lens.


CONCLUSIONS
Amniotic membrane transplantation alleviates short-term symptomatic bullous keratopathy and preserves corneal anatomy. Six months after surgery, anatomical and symptomatic improvement does not avoid the need of bandage contact lens.
López Ferrando
N
N
Servicio de Oftalmología, Complejo Hospitalario Mancha Centro, Alcázar de San Juan (Ciudad Real), Spain. nlopezf@jazzfree.com
Celis Sánchez
J
J
González Del Valle
F
F
López Mondéjar
E
E
D000650:Amnion / Q000637:transplantation*; D001768:Blister / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D003315:Cornea / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D010149:Postoperative Pain; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing