Rao A, Sridhar U, Gupta AK. Amniotic membrane transplant with superficial keratectomy in superficial corneal degenerations: efficacy in a rural population of north India.
Indian J Ophthalmol 2008;
56:297-302. [PMID:
18579988 PMCID:
PMC2636175 DOI:
10.4103/0301-4738.39664]
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Abstract
Aim:
To evaluate the applicability and efficacy of superficial keratectomy with transplantation of preserved
amniotic membrane in superficial corneal degenerations in a rural population of Northern India in terms of
visual improvement and surface regularization.
Settings:
Peripheral referral center in rural north India.
Materials and Methods:
This was a prospective non-comparative interventional case series where 24 eyes of
20 farmers from peripheral rural areas (M:F = 19:1) with visually significant superficial degenerative disorders
(15 eyes with climatic droplet keratopathy one of which was associated with Salzmann nodular degeneration
and nine eyes with band-shaped keratopathy) were subjected to amniotic membrane transplantation (single or
multiple layer) combined with superficial keratectomy. Subjective and objective outcomes after surgery were
evaluated and analyzed and statistical significance of the outcomes in various disorders was evaluated.
Results:
Eighty-eight per cent (21 eyes) had symptomatic relief from distressing preoperative symptoms
while postoperative visual improvement by two or more lines was achieved in 23 eyes (96%) over a mean
follow-up period of 26.8 ± 10.2 months. The surface irregularity present preoperatively was relieved in
23 cases while postoperative decline of vision with visually significant scarring was seen in one case (4%),
which was labeled as failure.
Conclusions:
Amniotic membrane transplant with superficial keratectomy helped achieve subjective comfort,
visual rehabilitation and clinical regularization of the corneal surface in superficial corneal degenerations
during the mean followup of 26.8 ± 10.2 months in rural setups.
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