Abstract
Aims
To describe the efficacy of a new pinhole amniotic membrane placement technique in cases of peripheral epithelial defects in patients with a single eye or low vision in the contrye.
Methods
This technique is based on a small central hole done with a dermatological 3 to 4 mm punch (according to pupillary diameter in mesoscopic conditions) and a continuous suture in the perilimbal cornea to fix the amniotic membrane. We performed this technique in 6 patients. Patients were followed clinical and photographically.
Results
No changes in the visual acuity before and after the surgery were observed. During follow-up, a complete re-epithelialization was observed with no need for reinterventions.
Conclusions
Amniotic membrane transplantation is a very useful option in patients with persistent epithelial defects; however, its use is limited by the subsequent visual acuity. The use of the pinhole amniotic membrane technique allows us to treat peripheral persistent corneal lesions without modifying patients’ visual acuity. This new technique may become especially useful in patients with functional single eye of low vision in the contralateral eye.
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JJSRL made substantial contribution to the design of the work, the acquisition and interpretation of data, and the drafting of the work. NEC made substantial contribution to the design of the work, the acquisition of data, and the drafting of the work. AE made substantial contribution to the interpretation of data and revised the work critically for important intellectual content. BGS and IJA made substantial contribution to the design of the work as well as the acquisition and interpretation of data and revised the work critically for important intellectual content. All authors agree to be ac- countable for all aspects of the work.
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San Román Llorens, J.J., Estébanez Corrales, N., Estébanez, A. et al. Pinhole amniotic membrane for peripheral corneal defects in patients with a single eye or low vision. Int Ophthalmol 42, 2079–2083 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10792-021-02206-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10792-021-02206-0