Preparation and uses of amniotic membrane for ocular surface reconstruction.

Background: The use of human amniotic membrane transplantation is rapidly increasing for the management of various ocular surface disorders. Despite its numerous advantages, amniotic membrane is not widely available due to the lack of awareness among ophthalmologists regarding its preparation and preservation techniques. Purpose: To provide an instructional video demonstrating the technique of harvesting, preparation, preservation of human amniotic membrane, and its uses in the management of ocular surface diseases. Synopsis: The amniotic membrane is the innermost layer of the human placenta. Properties of the amniotic membrane, like the presence of various growth factors, anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic factors, and its low immunogenicity, contribute to its ability to promote epithelial growth and differentiation with the reduction in fibrosis during healing. To harvest amniotic membrane, informed consent is obtained from a patient undergoing an elective caesarian section, and the donor is screened to exclude the risk of infections. Under sterile precautions, the amniotic membrane is separated from the chorion and washed free of blood clots. With the epithelial surface up, the amniotic membrane is spread uniformly without folds or tears on individually sterilized 0.22 µm nitrocellulose filter papers of the required sizes. The prepared filter paper with the adherent amniotic membrane is placed in freshly prepared Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium and stored at -80°C. The amniotic membrane can be used for surgical procedures like symblepharon release, pterygium or dermoid excision, perforated ulcers, nonhealing epithelial defects, etc. Highlights: Instructional videos demonstrating the preparation and preservation of amniotic membrane are very sparse. This video clearly explains how any ophthalmologist can learn to prepare and preserve the human amniotic membrane and gives a glimpse of its properties, advantages, and scope of use. Video Link: https://youtu.be/8HfSjXUKoiY.

Complications and visual outcome of sutureless, scleral fixated intraocular lens in cases with traumatic aphakia.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to describe the complications and outcome of sutureless scleral fixated intraocular lens (SFIOL) implantation in traumatic aphakia. SETTING: The study was conducted in a tertiary eye care centre in South India. DESIGN: The study involved a retrospective data analysis. METHODS: Medical records of cases with traumatic aphakia who had undergone sutureless SFIOL implantation in the last 2 years were included in the study. Data on intraoperative and postoperative complications and visual outcome were collected and analysed. RESULTS: In total, 45 cases were recruited. Mean logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improved from preoperative 1.64 ± 0.45 to 0.63 ± 0.36 at last follow-up visit, and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.0001). Final logMAR BCVA was worse than one in three patients who had associated posterior segment pathology. There was no incidence of intraoperative haptic rebound into the vitreous cavity or intraocular lens (IOL) drop. Four cases had hypotony, two cases had choroidal detachment, four cases had raised intraocular pressure (IOP), eight cases had transient corneal oedema and six patients had mild dispersed vitreous haemorrhage during immediate postoperative period. Six patients had postoperative cystoid macular oedema (CME). Two cases developed glaucoma. None of the patients had postoperative haptic exposure, retinal detachment (RD), iris capture of IOL or SFIOL dislocation till the last follow-up. CONCLUSION: Final visual outcome of sutureless SFIOL implantation in traumatic aphakia may be affected by concomitant posterior segment pathology. The immediate and late postoperative complications noted in our study were comparable with other similar studies. However, longer follow-up is needed to detect RD and angle recession glaucoma at the earliest and initiate therapy.