Eye Diseases
The amniotic
membrane, or amnion, comprises the innermost layer of the
placenta. Amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) has been
used in many different types of reconstructive surgery. The
ophthalmic uses of human amniotic membrane for transplantation
are many and its discovery has greatly improved our ability to
treat debilitating ocular surface disease. Amniotic membrane
has found its use in diverse eye diseases. AMT became
important because of its ability to diminish the occurrence of
adhesions and scarring, its ability to enhance wound healing.
In particular, the amniotic membrane expresses incomplete
HLA-A, B, C, and DR antigens, which may account for the fact
that immunological rejection after transplantation has not
been observed.
How does Amniotic Membrane Transplant (AMT)
help?
Amniotic membrane transplantation has been found to -
-
Facilitate
epithelialization - Heal defects on the surface of eye
-
Maintain a
normal epithelial phenotype - Stabilize cells on surface of
eye
-
Reduce
inflammation - reduces swelling
-
Reduce scarring
-
Reduce the
adhesion of tissues
-
Reduce
vascularisation
In
what situations is Amniotic Membrane used?
Corneal diseases -
-
Chemical injury
-
Limbal stem
cell deficiency
-
Persistent
epithelial defects
-
Corneal
Ulceration
-
Symptomatic
Bullous Keratopathy
Conjunctival
diseases -
-
Stevens-Johnson
Syndrome
-
Conjunctival
cicatrisation/scar
-
Symblepharon
lysis
-
Conjunctivochalasis
-
Conjunctival
surface reconstruction
-
Pterygium
surgery
-
Trabeculectomy
Bleb Leakage or Revision