Efficacy of the Sutureless Amniotic Membrane Patch for the Treatment of Ocular Surface Disorders

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of the sutureless amniotic membrane (AM) patch for the treatment of ocular surface disorders. METHODS: A sutureless AM patch using a silicone ring was utilized to treat neurotrophic ulcer, persistent epithelial defect (PED), Shield ulcer, chemical injury and Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Primary outcome was the time to complete corneal and conjunctival epithelialization. Secondary outcome was the number of repeated insertions and complications of the inserted ring. RESULTS: Neurotrophic ulcer was observed in 4 eyes, PED in 2 eyes, Shield ulcer in 1 eye, chemical injury in 4 eyes and Stevens-Johnson syndrome in 4 eyes. The mean (SD) time to complete epithelialization was 13 (7.2) days (6-20 days) in neurotrophic ulcer, 17.5 (7.7) days (12-23) in PED, 5 days in Shield ulcer, 10.6 (6.6) days (3-15) in chemical injury and 13.5 (0.7) days (13-14) in Stevens-Johnson syndrome. There were no protrusion or mechanical trauma of the inserted ring. In 1 case of neurotrophic ulcer and 1 refractory case of chemical injury, repeated insertion was performed due to incomplete healing after dissolution of the AM. In 2 eyes with Stevens-Johnson syndrome, repeated insertion was necessary with heavy accumulation of inflammatory debris on the AM. No symblepharon or fornix contracture was found in chemical injury or Stevens-Johnson syndrome patients. CONCLUSIONS: The sutureless AM patch using a silicone ring was shown to be effective and safe for the treatment of ocular surface disorders. The patch can help surgeons avoid suture-related trauma to the ocular surface during the acute inflammatory period.