Amniotic membrane transplantation in acute chemical and thermal injury

PURPOSE: To present a case of chemical injury and a case of thermal injury treated by amniotic membrane transplantation in acute phase. METHODS: Case reports, An eye with sodium hydroxide injury, opaque cornea, and limbal ischemia of more than 180 degrees and an eye with hot tea injury , opaque cornea, stromal edema, anal scarring were treated by amniotic memb rane transplantation within the first few weeks of injury. RESULTS: In the eye with sodium hydroxide injury, 4 months after amniotic m embrane transplantation, the ocular surface is stable, superficial corneal scarring with vascularization is present, and visual acuity is 20/25. In th e eye with thermal injury, 6 months after amniotic membrane transplantation , the ocular surface is stable, but there is superficial scarring and vascu larization, and visual acuity is 20/20, CONCLUSIONS: Amniotic membrane transplantation can be considered in chemica l injury with severe limbal ischemia and in severe thermal injury in acute phase. Long term studies are warranted to evaluate further the efficacy of amniotic membrane transplantation in these clinical situations. (C) 2000 by Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.