Long-Term Survival Rate Of Amniotic Membrane After Permanent Amniotic Membrane Transplantation On Cornea

To investigate the long-term fate of transplanted amniotic membrane in patients who underwent permanent amniotic membrane transplantation.

 

 

From April 2014 to December 2020, this study was conducted with 63 patients (67 eyes) who had follow-up observation for at least 1 year after permanent amniotic membrane transplantation. Medical records and slit-lamp digital photos were retrospectively analyzed for changes in transplanted amniotic membrane due to melting during the follow-up period of up to 6 years after surgery. The size of the intact amniotic membrane immediately after surgery and the size of the melted amniotic membrane were measured, and the ratio of the remaining amniotic membrane was compared for each follow-up period.

The average follow-up period was 40.4±21.2 months. As an indication of surgery, bullous keratopathy was the most common with 79.1%(53 eyes). Of the total 67 eyes, 79.1%(53 eyes) underwent a single-layer amniotic membrane transplantation, and 20.9%(14 eyes) underwent a double-layer amniotic membrane transplantation. Amniotic membrane melting appeared in 44.8%(30 eyes) of patients and melting was first observed on average 16.4 ± 16.4 months after surgery. Bullae formation and rupture was the most common cause of melting at 76.7%(23 eyes). The ratio of preserved amniotic membrane for one, two and six years after surgery was 93.97%, 92.42%, and 82.56%, respectively.

 

Transplanted amniotic membrane after permanent amniotic membrane transplantation is well maintained at least   the 6th year after surgery.