Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: Amniotic membrane, a thick basement membrane, can be used as a matrix for re-epithelialization, at the same time, preventing adhesions while inhibiting inflammation and neovascularization. Recently, amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) has been reported to be effective in reconstructing ocular surface disorders. In the present study, we evaluated our results and the mechanisms of the effect of AMT. Methods: Twenty-two eyes of 21 patients who underwent AMT at our hospital were divided into 4 groups as; Group I; Corneal or scleral perforation, Group II; Recurrent pterygium or pseudopterygium after chemical burn, Group III; Acute stage of severe alkali burn, Group IV; Microperforation of conjunctival filtering blebs after glaucoma surgery. Amniotic membranes were sutured with the epithelial side up in group I but with the epithelial side down in groups III and IV. Limbal transplantation or keratoepithelioplasty was also performed in group II. Results: AMT was very effective in patients of groups I and IV, whereas it was partially effective in group II. In group III, AMT was observed to be surprisingly effective in the suppression of acute inflammation. Conclusions: A carefully selected method of AMT, alone or in conjunction with other surgical procedures , yields excellent results in reconstruction and suppression of inflammation of the ocular surface disorders.
Keywords: cornea: clinical science • inflammation • wound healing