Amniotic membrane transplantation: indications and results.

PURPOSE: To describe amniotic membrane transplantation indications and results at the authors' institution.

METHODS

In this study, chart review of 108 patients who underwent amniotic membrane transplantation between January 2002 and April 2006 was performed. The survival rate of corneal integrity was compared, using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, as a measure of success rate.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 55.2+/-20.1 (6-87 years, 75 female, 51 male). The patients underwent amniotic membrane transplantation for six different diagnoses: nontraumatic corneal perforation (32 eyes, Group 1), persistent epithelial defect (29 eyes, Group 2), aphakic/pseudophakic bullous keratopathy (18 eyes, Group 3), infectious ulcer resistant to treatment (14 eyes, Group 4), necrotizing keratitis secondary to endophthalmitis (10 eyes, Group 5), and caustic injury (5 eyes, Group 6). The mean survival of corneal integrity was similar in all groups (p=0.156).

CONCLUSIONS

Amniotic membrane transplantation is a successful adjunctive method in achieving corneal epithelization in the study indications.