Amniotic Membrane Transplant in Acute Ocular Surface Burns in Western India: A Tertiary Eye Care Center Study

Purpose: To evaluate the outcomes of early amniotic membrane transplant (AMT) in acute ocular surface burns using Dua's classification.

Methods: In this retrospective analysis conducted at a tertiary eye care center in Western India. We included 27 eyes of 24 patients from May 2014 to May 2019 who underwent AMT within 2 weeks post insult along with medical treatment for acute ocular surface burns using Dua's classification for grading on presentation. Post-operative assessment for ocular surface epithelization, corneal vascularization, symblepharon formation, and visual outcome at the time of complete epithelization was done.

Results: Eight, seven, three, and nine eyes with grade III, IV, V, and VI, respectively, were included in the study. The mean duration of the presentation was 5.5 ± 3.6 days, with the mean follow-up of 4.83 ± 2.2 months. Alkali burn (62.96%, 17/27 eyes) was the commonest. The mean epithelization time was 5.80 ± 2.92 weeks. Corneal vascularization for >6 clock hours was seen in 52.38% (11/21 eyes with vascularization). Symblepharon was seen in 55.55% (15/27 eyes). Vision improvement and corneal vascularization to a lesser extent (<6 clock hours) was observed in Group A (grades III and IV) as compared to group B (grades V and VI) and found to be significant (P-value = 0.031, P value = 0.007, respectively).

Conclusion: Amniotic membrane grafting is a useful aid in moderate grades of acute ocular surface burns with an important adjunct role in severe cases.