Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose:: To determine if amniotic membrane transplantation can be use to treat symptomatic Bullous keratopathy and demonstrate by histopathological study if the membrane integrates as a basal membrane of the corneal epithelium. Methods:This is a prospective study in which we included patients with symptomatic Bullous keratopathy. We applied preserved amniotic membrane, and we follow the patients until they become asymptomatic. Penetrating Keratoplasty was done and the receptor corneal tissue was sent for histopathological studies (light and electron microscopy). Results:We performed amniotic membrane transplantation in 3 patients. There were no complications during the procedure and they were asymptomatic after two weeks of the membrane transplantation until 3 months. Penetrating keratoplasty was done in 2 patients because the 3rd patient had systemic complications. The two-receptor corneal tissues were sent to histopathological study. Light microscopy showed no changes on the corneal epithelium, but electron microscopy found that epithelial cells had a translucent tissue joined to it acting as a basal membrane. Conclusion:The amniotic membrane transplantation can be considered as an alternative treatment for symptomatic Bullous keratopathy, which will help up to 3 months before a penetrating keratoplasty is done.
Keywords: 357 clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: treatment/prevention assessment/controlled clinical trials • 472 microscopy: electron microscopy • 607 transplantation