Amniotic Membrane Transplantation in Perforation or Impending Perforation of Cornea

ABSTRACT

To evaluate the efficacy of amniotic membrane ransplantation(AMT) in the cornea that was perforated or impending perforation due to recalcitrant corneal ulcer or trauma, we performed AMT on 1 case of acid burn, 2 cases of thermal burn, 1 case of corneoscleral staphyloma with bullae due to previous ocular trauma, 2 cases of keratolysis as a graft rejection after keratoplasty, 3 cases of corneal ulcer. We used one or several layers of amniotic membrane(AM) that preserved in DMEM solution and 10% glycerin(1:1) under-70 degrees C or lyophylized form. As a result, the corneal perforations were prevented and the stable ocular surface were achieved. However, in case of neurotrophic keratopathy, epithelial rebreakdown was occurred after AMT, eventually epithelalization was fulfilled. Therefore, AMT may be a effective alternative method for treating corneal perforation or impending perforation that are refractory to conventional treatment.