Amniotic membrane placement is gaining popularity for dry eyes. But the question arises is it really that effective? What are the benefits and risks involved with this procedure? All your concerns are solved by these FAQs about the use of amniotic membranes for dry eyes. Visit our clinic or check our website at https://www.ophthalmologybrooklyn.com to see all the services that can help you manage your eye condition.

FAQs on the use of Amniotic membrane for dry eyes

Here are some FAQs on the use of Amniotic membranes for dry eyes that clear your doubts:

1. What is Amniotic membrane treatment?

Ans. The amniotic membrane is the innermost layer of the placental sac, which develops in a baby when they are in the mother’s womb. These special tissues have healing properties that encourage the body’s growth and repair function, which produce a therapeutic effect when applied to a damaged area like the cornea. This can be extracted from placental tissue during elective cesarean sections and transferred into a sterile and stable regenerative therapy for managing specific cases of dry eye disease (DED).

To ensure that AM is safe for use, donors need to go through strict criteria in line with the regulatory standard of the Human Tissue Authority (HTA) to guide its quality and safety assurance for patient treatment.

The main product used in this treatment is similar to an oversized contact lens — it’s a polycarbonate ring that fits on top of your eye and has a thin membrane of amniotic tissue that interacts with your cornea and promotes healing and repairing itself, which alleviates the underlying cause of chronic dry eye syndrome.

2. What are the indications and contraindications of amniotic membrane treatment?

Ans. Indications for amniotic membrane treatment

AMs have been shown useful in improving the ocular surface and reducing the severity of dry eye workshop (DEWS) scores. A review of the literature found good evidence that supports the safety and effectiveness of AM in restoring corneal epithelial health, improving visual acuity in eyes with neurotrophic keratitis and DED, and alleviating symptomatic DED. While further trials are ongoing, a small-scale controlled trial outlines that AMs offer a promising therapy for corneal nerve regeneration and boost recovery of the ocular surface health in DED patients.

Contraindications of amniotic membrane treatment

Some patients may be sensitive to the ingredients used to clean and disinfect the tissue samples. Practitioners are required to familiarize themselves with the contraindications listed by the manufacturer and have robust procedures in place to show that patients need to be properly screened for suitability. They also need to be mindful that patients may be sensitive about the ingredients without realizing it, and any sensitive reactions that occur following the procedure will need to be managed properly.

3. What benefits can you expect from using amniotic membrane treatment for dry eye?

Ans. You may think that amniotic membranes are tissues that allow healing when they are kept on the eye and offer eye protection. But these membranes have been used by doctors for the last century to treat chronic wounds, now this method is introduced in eye care. Generally, amniotic membranes can heal tissue damage while providing anti-inflammatory benefits. It may be used in severe cases of dry eye, in which a chronic lack of tears causes corneal damage (keratitis). For dry eye treatment, amniotic membranes are used to:

• Help repair damaged eye surfaces.
• Protect your eyes while on your eye.
• Lower inflammation of the eye.
• Protect your eye from infections.
• Prevent scars that might cause vision difficulties.

In one major 2018 study, researchers found that this treatment was helpful for most participants. It noted that 88% of participants experienced improved eye surfaces.

4. How does amniotic membrane placement for dry eye procedures take place?

Ans. During the procedure, a doctor will use amniotic membrane graft tissues from a donor. These membranes are taken from the placentas of fetuses which are delivered via elected cesarean birth. The tissue is then screened to detect infectious diseases and treated with antibiotics. An eye doctor will choose one of the following 2 types of amniotic membranes:

• Cryopreserved amniotic membrane: This type is kept frozen to preserve its tissues before being used for treatment. These versions are the most common types that are used and inserted with a contact lens-like ring.
• Dehydrated amniotic membrane: This type can be stored at room temperature, but it needs to be vacuum sealed before storage and rehydrated before use.

After the selection of the membrane, the procedure may follow these steps:

• First, you need to lie down on the examination table where the doctor places small devices over your eyelids to keep your eyes open.
• Then the doctor places the amniotic membrane graft over the cornea and ocular surface of your eye. To keep that in place, your doctor places the sticky side down.
• Lastly, the doctors use sutures or fibrin glue to keep the membrane in place. In case a dehydrated amniotic membrane is used, the doctor places a bandage contact lens on top.

This procedure doesn’t require a long recovery time. The membranes dissolve in your eyes within a week. During that time, you may experience blurry vision. That’s why you may need to avoid driving or other activities until your vision is restored completely. An eye doctor also recommends some eyecare symptoms to prevent unintentional injuries.

5. What should you avoid after amniotic membrane treatment?

Ans. After amniotic membrane treatment, you should avoid these things to prevent unintentional injuries until your vision is completely restored. It includes:

• Rubbing the treated eye.
• Remove the membrane device.
• Avoid swimming or soaking your face under or in water.
• Shower with your eyes open.
• Driving, operating machinery, etc.

6. What are the potential side effects you can expect from amniotic membrane treatment?

Ans. While amniotic membrane grafting is considered a very safe procedure, it still involves a few risks, which are rare but exist.

A 2018 study found that 10% of participants needed to repeat their treatment because they experienced no effects from amniotic membrane placement.

Possible risks you can expect include discomfort, infections, or intolerance of graft. Most of them are easily avoided during the procedure and properly following after-care instructions.

Amniotic membrane placement for dry eye is a good option because it provides many benefits to ocular health like restoring the surface, reducing inflammation, and preventing infections and scars that may cause harm to vision. It’s a very safe noninvasive procedure, however, it still involves some side effects which can subside with appropriate procedure and following aftercare instructions.

If you need help with your dry eyes, visit our ophthalmology clinic in Brooklyn to get professional medical treatment. Call us to book your appointment now!

At Doral Health and Wellness Ophthalmology Center, our eye doctors can help you recover from all types of eye conditions and diseases. To schedule an appointment, please call us at 1-347-384-5690 or visit us at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11212. You can also visit our website at https://www.ophthalmologybrooklyn.com.