My Dry Eyes
Amniotic Membrane Treatment
My Dry Eyes
Amniotic Membrane Treatment
What is Amniotic Membrane Therapy?
Amniotic membrane (AM) transplantation has an established role in ophthalmology for the treatment of ocular surface disease due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-scarring effects, along with the delivery of growth factors that promote epithelial wound healing on the surface of the eye.1
AMs are traditionally administered by ophthalmologists in a theatre. However, a CE-marked product is now available in the UK that may be applied in an outpatient setting.2 The AM is supplied in a dry, preserved state and can be stored for up to 48 hours at a temperature between 2–25°C without the need for a tissue storage licence. It is also supplied with a bandage contact lens that has been specifically designed for this product, which holds the AM in situ on the ocular surface.
What is an Amniotic Membrane?
AM is the innermost layer of the placental sac, which protects and holds the foetus during pregnancy. It can be extracted from placental tissue obtained during elective caesarean sections and transformed in to a sterile and stable regenerative therapy for managing specific cases of dry eye disease (DED).3
To ensure that the AM is safe for use, donors are screened against strict criteria in line with the regulatory standards of the Human Tissue Authority (HTA) Guide to Quality and Safety Assurance for Human Tissue and Cells for Patient Treatment.4
Who Should Have This Treatment?
In dry eye disease, the cornea can become damaged from lack of tears which supply nutrients to the eye. If this is severe enough, the Optometrist may decide to use an amniotic membrane, which has been shown to aid the recovery of the corneal epithelium.
Treatment aims to help stabilise your eye and reduce your sensation of pain. The treatment will also prevent the worsening of inflammation, which causes eye redness.
