Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: To demonstrate by histopathological and electronic microscopy findings, the integration of amniotic membrane in corneal tissues after transplantation. To demonstrate the utility of amniotic membrane transplantation as an alternative treatment for patients with symptomatic bullous keratopathy. Material and Methods: This is a retrospective, observational and descriptive study, it was realized in to a period of March 2001 to October 2002, at "Nuestra Señora de la Luz" hospital, we include patients of Cornea department with symptomatic bullous keratopathy which accepted amniotic membrane transplantation previous to penetrating keratoplasty. Results: We include four patients that received amniotic membrane transplantation for symptomatic bullous keratopathy and then we analyze histopathological behavior of transplanted cornea. We found by light microscopy that corneal tissues have changes in their thickness, and have the presence of bullas on the epithelial surface. The study by electronic microscopy shows a presence of intercellular junctions like desmosoms among amniotic membrane and corneal surface. Conclusions: The symptomatology of bullous keratopathy diminished in all patients, therefore we think this is a useful alternative in case of symptomatic bullous keratopathy . It exists a perfect integration of amniotic membrane into stromal tissue of the cornea without inflammation and structural changes in adjacent epithelial cells demonstrated by electronic microscopy. Key Words: Amniotic membrane transplantation, histopathology, electronic microscopy, bullous keratopathy.
Keywords: transplantation • microscopy: electron microscopy • pathobiology