J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2009 Jul;50(7):989-995. 10.3341/jkos.2009.50.7.989.

The Effects of Amniotic Membrane Contact Lens for Cornea Wound Healing

• Seo JW
• Ko BW
• Lee DJ
• Park WC

• KMID: 2212485
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/jkos.2009.50.7.989

Abstract

PURPOSE
To investigate the efficacy of an amniotic membrane contact lens on corneal epithelial wound healing. METHODS: We made a model with a corneal epithelial wound by applying 6 mm round filter paper soaked with 1 N NaOHonto the central cornea in 24 eyes of 12 rabbits. The rabbits were divided into three groups: AMCL (amniotic membrane contact lens), T-AMT (temporary amniotic membrane transplantation) and the control group. We evaluated corneal wound healing every postoperative day using a digital photo slitlamp and fluorescein dye. The corneas were harvested for histopathologic studies after seven days and analyzed with hematoxylin-eosin (H & E) stain and TUNEL staining. RESULTS: The average wound healing time was similar between the amniotic membrane contact lens and the temporary amniotic membrane transplantation group. The number of the infiltrated PMNs (polymorphonuclear cells) was 8.8+/-2.58, 8.6+/-2.19 and 48.6+/-7.12 in the AMCL, T-AMT and control groups, respectively. Apoptotic keratocytes were 3.8+/-1.1, 3.6+/-1.09 and 23.2+/-5.06 in the AMCL, T-AMT and control groups, respectively. In the AMCL and T-AMT groups, the number of infiltrated PMNs and apoptotic keratocytes were significantly less than those the control group (p<0.05). There were not significant differences in the number of PMNs and apoptotic cells in the AMCL and the T-AMT groups. CONCLUSIONS: Amniotic membrane contact lenses have the benefits of being an easily applied method and having a wound healing ability comparable to that possible with conventional suture methods.

Keyword

Amniotic membrane; Contact lens; Wound healing

MeSH Terms

Amnion
Contact Lenses
Cornea
Eye
Fluorescein
In Situ Nick-End Labeling
Membranes
Rabbits
Sutures
Transplants
Wound Healing
Fluorescein

Figure

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  Figure 1. Schematic drawing of amniotic membrane contact lens.

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  Figure 2. Photograph of fluorescein dye staining shows corneal epithelial defect after alkali burn (A). Transplanted amniotic membrane contact lens (AMCL) is in place (B). Temporarily transplantated amniotic membrane (T-AMT) in place (C).

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  Figure 3. Histopathologic findings of rabbit cornea with hematoxylin and eosin staining. Original magnification; ×200. Mild infiltration of inflammatory cells was detected in AMCL and T-AMT group (A and B). Infiltration of many inflammatory cells was found in the stroma in the control group (C). No definite differences are found between AMCL and T-AMT group.

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  Figure 4. Comparison of PMNs infiltration in the stroma. Infiltration of many inflammatory cells was detected in the control group. There was no significant difference between AMCL and T-AMT group (* p<0.05). PMNs= polymorphonuclear cells; HPF=high power field.

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  Figure 5. Histopathologic findings of rabbit cornea with TUNEL stain. Original magnification, ×200. The lesser TUNEL positive cells were detected in the anterior corneal stroma in AMCL and T-AMT group (A and B). More TUNEL positive cells were seen in the control group (C). There was no significant difference in the number of apoptotic cells between AMCL and T-AMT group.

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  Figure 6. Comparison of TUNEL positive cell counts. More TUNEL positive cells were seen in the control group. There was no significant difference between AMCL and T-AMT group (* p<0.05).

Reference

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