Abstract
Purpose: :
To obtain images of the corneal epithelial layer and implanted amniotic membrane (AM) by using Fourier domain optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT) after amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) for symptomatic bullous keratopathy and band-shaped keratopathy.
Methods: :
Four eyes of four patients (two with bullous keratopathy and two with band-shaped keratopathy) who had undergone AMT with cryopreserved AM at Osaka University Hospital for pain and discomfort relief were examined by means of FD-OCT with cornea-anterior module (RTVue; Optovue, Inc, Fremont, CA, USA) and in vivo laser confocal microscope (Heidelberg Retina Tomograph II Rostock Cornea Module [HRT II-RCM]; Heidelberg Engineering GmbH, Dossenheim, Germany). Measurements of thickness of the corneal epithelial layer and implanted AM were performed with the software provided. The FD-OCT images were compared with the images obtained by means of anterior segment time domain OCT (TD-OCT) (Visante OCT; Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc., Dublin, CA, USA).
Results: :
FD-OCT images for all patients showed more distinct layers of the corneal epithelium and amniotic membrane than those obtained with anterior segment TD-OCT. The average thickness of the corneal epithelial layer and implanted amniotic membrane of the central cornea were 45 um (range: 32-60 um) and 25 um (range: 19-32 um), respectively. The HRT II-RCM also differentiatedthese two layers, and, beneath the corneal epithelial cell layer, it showed a fibroblastic layer of the AM with some folds.
Conclusions: :
FD-OCT with cornea-anterior module is a valuable imaging tool for assessing implanted amniotic membrane after AMT.
Keywords: imaging methods (CT, FA, ICG, MRI, OCT, RTA, SLO, ultrasound) • transplantation • cornea: clinical science