Use of amniotic membrane in bullous keratopathy palliative care

BACKGROUND Assessment of efficiency of amniotic membrane covering in the improvement of bullous keratopathy symptoms. MATERIAL AND METHOD The paper represents a clinical prospective study, which includes 42 patients diagnosed with bullous keratopathy and operated between January 2009 and November 2013 in the Department of Clinical Ophthalmology from "Dr. Carol Davila" Central Military Emergency Hospital. Follow up between 6 and 48 months, with an average of 22 months. Subject to research: corneal re-epithelisation, epithelial bullae, pain and photophobia relapse. RESULTS In 37 cases, the symptoms improved, in 8 cases the minimum symptoms persisted and in 29 cases the symptoms completely disappeared. In 5 cases, there were no significant improvements, symptoms reappeared briefly after membrane resorption. CONCLUSIONS Amniotic membrane covering represents an efficient palliative care means in oedematous keratopathy.