The Effect of Amniotic Membrane Graft on the Inhibition of Corneal Opacity After Traumatic Injury.

Ha, Sang Woo; Yang, Han Nam

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society 2003;44(9):1966-1972.
Published online September 1, 2003.

The Effect of Amniotic Membrane Graft on the Inhibition of Corneal Opacity After Traumatic Injury.

Sang Woo Ha, Han Nam Yang

Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Korea. loiseau@kornet.net

외상성 심부 각막 손상 후 발생하는 혼탁의 억제에 대한 양막 이식의 효과

하상우 ( Ha Sang U ) , 양한남 ( Yang Han Nam )

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was performed to evaluate the effect of amniotic membrane graft on corneal opacity after traumatic penetrating injury. METHODS: Corneal penetrating wound was made, 6mm in length. A total of 60 rabbit eyes were divided into three groups: (1) applied with amniotic membrane (n=20); (2) applied with contact lens (n=20); (3) control (n=20). Corneal opacity was analyzed with photoslit microscopy finding, histopathological finding, and expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin. RESULTS: Grade of corneal opacity was lower in amniotic membrane applied group (p<0.05). Infiltration of the inflammatory cells and expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin were also lower in amniotic membrane applied group. Histological structures of stromal cells were more regular in amniotic membrane applied group. CONCLUSIONS: Amniotic membrane graft can be an effective therapeutic method for prevention of corneal opacity after trauma by inhibiting infiltration of the inflammatory cells, proliferation of stromal cell and wound contracture by fibroblasts.

Key Words: alpha-smooth muscle actin;Amniotic membrane graft;Corneal opacity;Penetrating injury