Amniotic Membrane Transplantation in the Management of Corneal Ulceration Following Infectious Keratitis

PurposeTo report on the outcomes of amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) for corneal ulceration following infectious keratitis.MethodIn this retrospective cohort study of 654 patients with culture-proven infectious keratitis from 8 hospitals in Galicia (Spain), a total of 43 eyes of 43 patients (6.6%) underwent AMT for postinfectious corneal ulceration. The indications for AMT were sterile persistent epithelial defects, severe corneal thinning or perforation.ResultsAMT was successful in 62.8% of cases, with 37.2% requiring an additional surgery. Median time to healing was 40.0 days (IQR 24.2-101.7 days) and final BCVA was lower than baseline (p = 0.001). Ulcers were large (>3 mm) in 55.8% of cases. Previous herpetic keratitis and topical steroid use were more common in patients who received AMT (p < 0.001). 49 microorganisms (43 bacteria and 6 fungi) were isolated.ConclusionsAMT is a therapeutic option for complications following infectious keratitis, which present with a sterile persistent epithelial defect, significant corneal thinning or perforation.