Amniotic Membrane Transplantation for Paracentral Corneal Perforations

Abstract

Objective: To report the clinical efficacy of Amniotic Membrane Transplantation (AMT) for paracentral perforations caused by Blepharokeratoconjunctivitis (BKC). Methods: A retrospective review was performed on consecutive patients that had paracentral corneal perforations caused by BKC and were subsequently treated with AMT between October 2019 and September 2021. Visual acuity (BCVA), anterior chamber depth, angle opening, corneal thickness and number of Demodex mites were examined before and after the operation. Results: Eleven eyes of 11 patients (2 males, 9 females, aged 11- 22 years old) with BKC were included in the analysis. Three months after AMT, BCVA significantly improved from 1.14 ± 0.8 at baseline to 0.35 ± 0.2 (p=0.004) and the proportion of patients with mite infestation decreased from 7 cases (64%) to 2 cases (18%). OCT confirmed the corneal perforations healed with normal corneal thickness and formation of anterior chamber with normal angle opening. During the follow up duration of 6-17 months, no recurrence or complications were noted. Conclusion: This case series suggests AMT can restore vision and corneal thickness in patients with aseptic corneal perforations caused by BKC.