title: [Topical amniotic fluid: a potential new alternative for ocular surface diseases].
abstract: Amniotic fluid bathes the fetus during intrauterine life and is in permanent contact with the fetal ocular surface in this important period of development. It contains a series of growth factors that may have multiple effects on the wound healing process. These factors are thought to accelerate the recovery of corneal sensitivity and nerve regeneration after keratorefractive procedures, and also may control scar formation and balance the ocular surface after topical application. Hundreds of different proteins have been identified in the human amniotic fluid, and the role of each still not quite understood. The outcomes obtained so far with amniotic fluid application to ocular surface diseases suggest a promising therapy. Research is underway to identify the effects of specific factors of the amniotic fluid in ocular inflammation. The purpose of this review is to report the properties and current utilizations of amniotic fluid as well as to summarize the recent studies related to the use of this fluid for ocular surface diseases.
authors.affiliation: Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine - Baltimore, MD 21287-0005, USA.
authors.forename: Guilherme Goulart
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Quinto
authors.forename: Suy Anne Rebouças
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.forename: Renata
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tiemi
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Campos
authors.forename: Ashley
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Behrens
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry; D003229:Conjunctival Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D014945:Wound Healing
chemical_list: D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions