Aim-To examine the efficacy, safety, and long term outcomes of amniotic mem
brane transplantation for corneal surface reconstruction in cases of partia
l limbal stem cell deficiency.
Methods-17 eyes of 15 patients with partial limbal stem cell deficiency und
erwent superficial keratectomy of the conjunctivalised corneal surface foll
owed by amniotic membrane transplantation. Cases were followed up for at le
ast a year.
Results-All eyes exhibited a stable, intact corneal epithelial surface afte
r a mean follow up period of 25.8 months with no eyes developing recurrent
erosion or persistent epithelial defect. The mean time to re-epithelialisat
ion was 22.8 days. Overall improvement in visual acuity was observed in 92.
9% of 14 eyes with visual potential. Of those, five eyes gained six or more
lines, two eyes gained between four and five lines, six eyes gained betwee
n one and three lines, and one eye lost three lines of Snellen acuity. Pain
and photophobia were abolished in 86% of cases and substantially reduced i
n 14%, with all eyes exhibiting decreased vascularisation and inflammation
at final follow up.
Conclusions-Amniotic membrane transplantation appears to be a safe and effe
ctive method of restoring a stable corneal epithelium for cases of partial
limbal stem cell deficiency and can be considered as an alternative to limb
al autograft or allograft.