Cases of Amniotic Membrane Transplantation for Herpetic Keratitis

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) on recurrent herpetic keratitis with unhealed corneal epithelial erosion. METHODS: We performed AMT on 5 cases of herpetic keratitis from February 2004 to August 2005. We had applied two layers of fresh amniotic membrane over the corneal lesion and anchored by running suture technique with 10-0 nylon. RESULTS: After AMT, visual acuity improved in 5 eyes of 5 herpetic keratitis patients. In all patients the persistent epithelial erosion was healed and pain was subsided after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The AMT shortened the usage of antiviral agents and antibiotics, increased compliance, and decreased corneal opacity and neovascularization. The AMT is an effective method for managing recurrent herpetic keratitis with unhealed corneal epithelial erosion that are refractory to conventional treatment.