Amniotic Membrane Therapy
About Amniotic Membrane Therapy
Amniotic Membranes AMT, like Prokera®, are corneal bandages that are used to heal and treat ocular dry eye conditions such as conjunctival and corneal diseases keratitis, moderate to severe dry eye disease, recurrent corneal erosions, filamentary keratitis, persistent epithelial defects, neurotrophic corneas, herpetic ulcers, and many other ocular surface diseases.
What to Expect
Prior to the procedure, your eye will be numbed with topical anesthetic drops to ensure comfort. The eye and surrounding area will be thoroughly dried. The amniotic membrane, preserved and sterilized, is carefully positioned over the cornea (the eye’s surface). For some patients, a special contact lens is placed over the membrane to hold it in place. If using Prokera, the actual membrane itself is somewhat similar to an oversized contact lens, it’s a polycarbonate ring that is thin and clear like the tissue on the surface of your eye, fits on top of your eye, and has a thin membrane of amniotic tissue that interacts with your cornea, to heal and repair itself.
Minor discomfort or foreign body sensation may be experienced immediately post-procedure. Vision may be temporarily blurred due to the presence of the membrane. Most patients notice a significant improvement in symptoms within a few days to weeks. You may be prescribed antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops to prevent infection and aid healing. Regular check-ups are scheduled to monitor the healing process and the membrane’s integration or absorption.
