Effect of amniotic membrane after laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy on epithelial healing: clinical and refractive outcomes.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To evaluate the effect of an amniotic membrane (AM) on reepithelialization time, corneal haze, and postoperative visual and refractive outcomes after laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy (LASEK) for myopia and myopic astigmatism.

SETTING:

Department of Ophthalmology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, and Balgeunsesang Ophthalmology Clinic, Seoul, Korea.

METHODS:

One hundred fifty-two eyes of 84 patients with myopia or myopic astigmatism were prospectively evaluated for 6 months after LASEK. An AM was placed as a strip on the inferior limbus in 94 eyes of 54 patients after LASEK; 58 eyes of 30 patients served as the control group. Postoperative epithelial healing time, uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best corrected visual acuity, remaining refractive error, and corneal haze were examined.

RESULTS:

The reepithelialization time was shorter in the AM group (2.40 days +/- 0.94 [SD]) than in the control group (3.90 +/- 0.97 days) (P<.001). At 6 months, 86 eyes (91.5%) in the AM group had a UCVA of 20/25 or better and 90 eyes (95.7%) had a UCVA of 20/40 or better; 48 eyes (82.8%) and 53 eyes (91.4%) in the control group had a UCVA of 20/25 or better and 20/40 or better, respectively. The mean spherical equivalent in the AM group was -0.48 +/- 0.54 diopter (D) and in the control group, -0.94 +/- 0.60 D (P<.001). The corneal haze was significantly less in the AM group than in the control group (P<.001).

CONCLUSION:

Amniotic membrane use after LASEK induced rapid epithelial healing with more favorable visual and refractive outcomes and lower corneal haze scores than conventional LASEK.

• Authors: Hyung Keun Lee, Jin Kook Kim, Sung Soo Kim, Eung Kweon Kim, Kwang One Kim, In Sik Lee, Gong Je Seong
• Journal: Journal of cataract and refractive surgery (J Cataract Refract Surg) Vol. 30 Issue 2 Pg. 334-40 (Feb 2004) ISSN: 0886-3350 [Print] United States
• PMID: 15030821 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Topics

• Adult
• Amnion (transplantation)
• Astigmatism (physiopathology, surgery)
• Biological Dressings
• Epithelial Cells (cytology)
• Epithelium, Corneal (physiology)
• Female
• Humans
• Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ (methods)
• Male
• Myopia (physiopathology, surgery)
• Prospective Studies
• Refraction, Ocular (physiology)
• Regeneration (physiology)
• Time Factors
• Treatment Outcome
• Visual Acuity (physiology)
• Wound Healing (physiology)