Detection of corneal epithelial defect through amniotic membrane patch by fluorescein.

PURPOSE: To demonstrate the usefulness of fluorescein dye to detect a corneal epithelial defect through an amniotic membrane patch in 4 cases.

PATIENTS AND METHOD: Two patients with painful bullous keratopathy, 1 patient with total limbal deficiency, and 1 patient with acute chemical burn underwent surgeries in conjunction with amniotic membrane as patch. Postoperatively, slit-lamp biomicroscopic examination with and without fluorescein staining was performed.

RESULTS

The status of epithelialization, ie, corneal epithelial defect on either denuded corneal stroma or amniotic membrane graft, was indiscernible by slit-lamp biomicroscopy through the amniotic membrane patch. Nevertheless, it could be detected by fluorescein staining, especially after saline rinse, in all 4 cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Fluorescein staining permits clinicians to avoid prematurely removing the amniotic membrane patch during the treatment of a persistent corneal epithelial defect.