Abstract
Purpose :
A novel three-layer acellular amniotic membrane, the Biovance® 3L Ocular Human Amniotic Membrane Allograft by Verséa Therapeutics, has become recently available and has not been widely studied in clinical practice. As such, we aim to evaluate the use of this new amniotic membrane allograft in patients with various corneal pathologies or undergoing corneal procedures.
Methods :
This was a retrospective chart review of 7 eyes from 6 patients who underwent amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) with the new Biovance® 3L Ocular Human Amniotic Membrane Allograft between January and October 2023. Outcome measures included best-corrected visual acuity, resolution of the epithelial defect, and any complications from the amniotic membrane transplantation.
Results :
The study included 2 males and 4 females, ages 31–80, with follow-up ranging from 5–41 weeks. Corneal diagnoses treated were recurrent corneal erosions, Salzmann’s nodular degeneration and persistent epithelial defects in prior corneal grafts. The visual acuities for 6 eyes at their last visits were improved or stable compared to their pre-AMT placement visit and ranged from 20/25 to hand motion. The AMT dissolved within 1 week with resolution of the epithelial defect for most eyes. In one eye that underwent superficial keratectomy (SK) for recurrent erosion, 3 very small peripheral pieces remained incorporated in the epithelium at the 1-month visit despite removal of the BCL but ultimately did not affect final vision. Another patient who underwent SK for recurrent erosions was lost to follow-up between the 1-day and 1-month visits, and the AMT had incorporated into the epithelium at the 1-month visit. Removal of the incorporated AMT and associated epithelium and replacement with just a BCL for re-epithelialization resolved the erosions. One eye with prior penetrating keratoplasty (PK) from corneal thinning from herpes zoster and severe glaucoma developed a recurrent epithelial defect with elevated IOP 6 weeks after AMT placement. Another eye with prior PK had progressive graft thinning and perforation despite placement of the AMT.
Conclusions :
The Biovance® 3L amniotic membrane is a safe, well-tolerated and effective for the treatment of corneal epithelial defects due to various corneal pathologies or corneal procedures. Complications were related to the graft incorporating into the epithelium of two eyes.
This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.