title: Morselized Amniotic Membrane Tissue for Refractory Corneal Epithelial Defects in Cicatricial Ocular Surface Diseases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the clinical efficacy of morselized amniotic membrane and umbilical cord tissue (MAU) in treating refractory corneal epithelial defect in ocular cicatricial diseases.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective review of four patients with ocular cicatricial diseases treated with topical MAU for corneal epithelial defects refractory to conventional treatments including topical lubricants, autologous serum, bandage contact lens, and tarsorraphy. Their symptoms, corneal staining, conjunctival inflammation, and visual acuity were compared before and after treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After topical application of MAU twice daily, two patients demonstrated rapid corneal epithelialization with prompt visual acuity improvement at the first day. All patients showed corneal epithelialization in 7.3 ± 2.6 days accompanied by a significant relief of symptoms, reduction of ocular surface inflammation, and improvement of visual acuity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This pilot study suggests topical MAU can be developed into a novel treatment for treating refractory corneal epithelial defects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Topical MAU can be an effective novel treatment for refractory corneal epithelial defects.
authors.affiliation: Ocular Surface Center, Miami, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Anny M S
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.affiliation: Research and Development Department, TissueTech, Inc., Miami, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Lorraine
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chua
authors.affiliation: Ocular Surface Center, Miami, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Casas
authors.affiliation: Ocular Surface Center, Miami, FL, USA ; Research and Development Department, TissueTech, Inc., Miami, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Scheffer C G
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Tseng
keywords: amniotic membrane; cicatricial ocular surface; inflammation; persistent epithelial defect; umbilical cord