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Amniotic membranes may be used in eyecare as a protective covering for the surface of the eye, to promote healing, and to reduce inflammation. They may be used in a variety of conditions, including corneal ulcers, dry eye syndrome, and surgical procedures such as corneal transplants.
Amniotic membranes are used in optometry and ophthalmology to promote healing for corneal surface disease and other corneal conditions. They are thin tissue layers that are derived from the inner lining of the placenta and contain growth factors and other substances that help to promote healing. In our clinic, amniotic membranes are often used to treat conditions such as corneal wounds, dry eye syndrome, and persistent corneal epithelial defects. They can also be used to protect the cornea during surgery and to prevent scarring. Amniotic membranes are typically transplanted to the eye in the form of a patch or a sheet, and they may be used alone or in combination with other treatments.
The two types of amniotic membranes are cryopreserved and dehydrated:
ProKera
ProKera is a type of amniotic membrane that is cryopreserved and wrapped around an elastomeric band or polycarbonate ring. It is thin and clear, similar to the surface of the eye, and can be easily inserted into the eye like a contact lens. ProKera has received FDA clearance as a class II medical device for its anti-inflammatory, wound healing, and protective properties. It contains natural therapeutic properties that promote the healing of damaged eye surfaces, and has been shown to reduce scarring and inflammation when used to treat scarred corneas..
AmbioDisk
AmbioDisk is a form of amniotic membrane that is available for use in optometry and ophthalmology offices. It is dehydrated and placed across the surface of the eye, with healing contact lenses used to keep it in place. This treatment provides essential nutrients that promote healing, and typically takes 5-7 days to be absorbed into the eye. After this time, the AmbioDisk is removed by an eye surgeon.
Both AmbioDisk and ProKera provide essential nutrients that promote healing of the eye.
The dry eye workshop study (DEWS) lists amniotic membranes as a recommended method of treating dry eye. In cases where traditional treatment options for dry eye disease, such as artificial tears, lubricating ointments, prescription dry eye drops, thorough lid hygiene, punctal plugs, meibomian gland expression are not effective, amniotic membranes are an advanced treatment option. These thin tissue layers, which cover the surface of the fetus during pregnancy, contain various substances with anti-inflammatory and lubricating properties that may help to improve symptoms of dry eye such as discomfort, redness, and vision problems. If you are experiencing dry eye that is unresponsive to traditional treatment options, it may be worth discussing the use of amniotic membranes with our eye care provider during a dry eye evaluation.
If you are interested in using amniotic membranes to treat your dry eye, it is important to speak with our eye doctor to determine whether they are appropriate for your specific condition. They can also recommend other treatment options that may be more suitable for your needs. To schedule a dry eye evaluation with our eye doctor in Olympia, please call (360) 491-2121.
Amniotic membrane is utilized in post surgical care after surgeries that involve removing eye tissues, including treating chemical burns, corneal ulcers and conjunctival ulcers, as well as diseases that cause painful ulcerations.
In a 12-year study conducted in Italy, 5,349 surgical procedures using amniotic membrane patches were successfully performed. The treatment's effectiveness was evaluated one year after surgery based on the scope of the surgery, resolution of inflammation, relief of symptoms, restoration of regular and stable corneal epithelium, and restoration of the structural integrity of the eye.
Consequently, the authors of the study concluded that the proposed procedure for the therapeutic use of amniotic membranes to treat various ocular pathologies is reproducible, and that amniotic membranes can be used in place of conventional medical treatment for certain conditions in the ocular system.
Conditions treated using amniotic membranes included:
In this study, partial success was achieved if two criteria were met. If any of these criteria were not met, the result was considered a failure. The study achieved a 100% success rate in treating a variety of conditions, including corneal ulcers and neurotrophic keratitis, as well as post-keratoplasty, glaucoma, cataract, bullous keratopathy, corneal degeneration and dystrophy, mechanical trauma, and reconstructing the anophthalmic cavity and eyelids. Additionally, dysfunctional tears were successfully treated in the study.
Although amniotic membranes have many healing properties and could potentially be widely used in optometry and ophthalmology, data suggests that they have not been widely adopted. According to the information from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), only 314 doctors of optometry in the U.S. reported using the HCPCS code for amniotic membrane insertion in 2016. This number may have increased slightly to around 400 in 2017, but this still represents only about 1% of optometrists who practice in the United States. In 2021 amniotic membranes sales reached $3.1 billion in the US, and adoption is increasing significantly, a recent report suggests that the US market will triple by 2030.
Amniotic membranes are thin tissues that are derived from the placenta and have been used in a variety of medical procedures by optometrists and ophthalmologists. They may be used in a variety of conditions, including corneal ulcers, dry eye syndrome, and post surgical care following surgical procedures such as corneal transplants. Amniotic membranes have several properties that make them useful in these applications, including their ability to reduce inflammation, promote wound healing, and provide a barrier to protect the eye from further injury. To learn more about amniotic membranes or if you would like to schedule an eye exam or dry eye evaluation, please call (360) 491-2121. Patients searching for advanced medical eye care visit our clinic from all over Washington, and we are proud to be a leading provider of medical eye care services for patients from Olympia, Lakewood, Tacoma, and Lacey.
Such a nice optician. My grandson is only 4 and needs glasses. We were so sad, but he explained the issues, and we will follow up as he suggested.
I had such a good experience with the clinic. Very friendly staff and doctor, did not have to wait for long to be called, and was treated respectfully. Thanks, American Family.
Dr. Zurcher has gone above and beyond what any other eye doctor has ever done to figure out what is going on with my eyes. Very happy with American Family Vision.
Family Vision Clinic changed our lives! My daughter was frequently car sick, and she was getting headaches every day, often painful enough that they brought her to tears. We saw a string of doctors and therapists, but we made no progress. Finally, we found Dr. Levi Zurcher and his eye therapist Rain. After ten weeks of eye therapy my daughter no longer gets headaches, and she no longer gets car sick. Daily tears are a thing of the past. I really can’t say enough about this clinic. It was fascinating to watch Dr. Zurcher work. For the first time, someone who knew what they were doing was intently studying my daughter, really trying to figure out all of her eye issues, and his therapist Rain is one of the most patient and lovely people that I’ve ever had the good fortune to meet. We’re finished with eye therapy—yay!—and I have switched to American Family Vision Clinic for all of my family’s other eye health needs.
Very professional, yet kind and helpful. They do what they can to make the appointment comfortable. I was running a bit late, I made sure ti call. They were able to switch me with a patient who was already there, they treated me with respect, and helped my son have confidence by getting him the eye care he needed that day. Thank you so much! Would recommend to anyone. It's a blessing that they care enough to work with people who have all different types of insurance from work to state coverage.
The staff is friendly. The Doc is very knowledgeable. The office is family friendly and everyone is so patient with the little ones.
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