Simple method of restoration of vision with amniotic membrane transplantation in spheroidal degeneration

Abstract

Spheroidal degeneration is known to cause symptoms of pain, watering and foreign body sensation and visual deterioration. Management includes lubricants, contact lens, lamellar and penetrating keratoplasty and phototherapeutic keratectomy. They have limitations in the form of availability of tissue and equipment, cost and post-op care. Amniotic membrane transplant (AMT) has been proven effective for ocular surface reconstruction. Therefore this study was done to evaluate the efficacy of superficial keratectomy with AMT in spheroidal degeneration in terms of symptomatic relief and visual improvement. Twenty three eyes of 20 patients were included in the study after complete clinical examination. Superficial keratectomy along with amniotic membrane grafting was done in all cases. Patients were evaluated for symptomatic relief and visual improvement. Post operatively symptomatic relief of one or more symptoms was seen in all eyes. Pre-operative watering, foreign body sensation and irritation was relieved in 73.3%, 86.5% and 79.9% cases respectively. Visual improvement by more than two lines occurred in 21 of the 23 eyes. Corneal haze in the form of a nebular macular opacity was noted in five cases. None of our patients required a repeat procedure. Superficial keratectomy with amniotic membrane grafting is a cheaper and easily available treatment option for providing smooth ocular surface with symptomatic and visual improvement in spheroidal degeneration.