As an optometrist at Amplify EyeCare Chattanooga in Hixson, one of the most common questions Dr. Heather McBryar often encounters […]
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 Hixson, please call (423) 710 3965.
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 (423) 710 3965. Patients searching for advanced medical eye care visit our clinic from all over Tennessee, and we are proud to be a leading provider of medical eye care services for patients from Hixson, Chattanooga, Cleveland, and Middle Valley.
Vision therapy is well worth the response, time and effort. Our Son had a hard time focusing and writing neatly. After vision therapy Seth could complete a task in half the time if previously took. His abilities to focus improved greatly and so did his handwriting.
Also, he was better at listening. As a parent, we wanted learning to be fun for our Son, and vision therapy made this possible.
Vision Therapy is well worth the expense, time and effort. Our son had a hard time focusing handwriting neatly. After vision therapy Seth could complete a task in half the time it previously took his abilities to focus and improved greatly and so did his handwriting.
Also, he was better at listening. As a parent you wanted learning to be fun for our son and vision therapy made this possible.
Vision Therapy has given or son the tools he needs to be able to scan and read the written word more effectively and efficiently.
He love working with John and these working sessions give him the motivation to gladly work on his homework assignments.
It amazed us to see the difference in the tracking of his eyes and along a line of it's from the beginning to the end of the treatment.
Dr. McBryar , Kristen and John are all marvelous and we would recommend them to anyone I only wish that we would have found them sooner!
Prior to coming to the institute for vision development my son complained of daily headaches. Therapy has eliminated his headaches completely. I love knowing my son is able to learn pain-free for the rest of his life because of the work that has been done over just a few weeks in this office. He he absolutely loved coming that didn't even feel like going to a doctor or therapy. We are grateful for the relief he was able to find by coming here.
Thank you!
Seems much less frustrated with life
Reads non-stop and fast
Spelling abilities have been hugely improved
Seems much more confident
Thank You!!!
When we first came to the practice, my son did not have huge issues, but lots of small ones- trouble with reading, sports (hitting the baseball consistently), coordination, etc- that were not easily detectable,but when put together presented issues. The staff here were all very professional and loving towards him. While I was concerned in the reading, my son was concerned with the athletic side. Seeing improvement night off the bat gave him confidence that i have nor seen in him and made him want to not only Come to therapy, but also made him want to work hard. He has surpassed his grade level and above in reading and hit his first home run this year! Thank you!!!
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