Concept, Technique and Indications: Amniotic Membrane Transplantation for Ocular Diseases.

Amniotic membrane has ability to enhance wound healing, reduce scarring, decrease inflammation and diminish the occurrence of adhesions. The fetal membranes were first used in ophthalmology by De Rotth in1940 for treating symblepharon. The therapy was reintroduced in 1995 by Kim and Tseng for treatment of limbal stem cell deficiency. The technique has become widespread because of availability of amnion, convenient usage and high success rate. The uses of amniotic membrane transplantation in ophthalmology are many and its rediscovery has greatly improved our ability to treat debilitating ocular surface disease. It can be used as a substrate to replace the damaged ocular tissue, as a patch or a combination of both. Recently it has been used as an excellent substrate for expanding limbal stem cells. Studies comparing amniotic membrane transplantation to other methods would help to define its role in treatment of ocular surface disease. The purpose of this article is to give a brief review of the properties, mechanism of action, indications and surgical technique of amniotic membrane transplantation.