Association of Treatment Duration and Clinical Outcomes in Dry Eye Treatment with Sutureless Cryopreserved Amniotic Membrane

• Published in: Clinical ophthalmology (Auckland, N.Z.) Vol. 17; pp. 2697 - 2703
• Main Authors: McDonald, Marguerite, Janik, Susan, Bowden, Frank W, Chokshi, Amit, Singer, Michael A, Tighe, Sean, Mead, Olivia, Nanda, Seema, Qazi, Mujtaba, Dierker, Damon, Shupe, Adam T, McMurren, Brittany
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dove 01.01.2023; Dove Medical Press
• Subjects: amniotic membrane; cryopreserved; dry eye; ocular surface; Original Research; prokera
• ISSN: 1177-5483; 1177-5467; 1177-5483
• DOI: 10.2147/OPTH.S423040

BackgroundWhile sutureless, cryopreserved amniotic membrane (cAM) has been shown to significantly improve signs and symptoms of dry eye disease (DED), no studies have assessed the association of cAM treatment duration to the differential response in clinical outcomes. MethodsA multi-center, retrospective study was conducted on patients with moderate-to-severe DED who were treated with self-retained cAM (Prokera® Slim) for 2 to 7 days. The primary outcome measure was DEWS severity score assessed at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months. Secondary outcome measures included ocular discomfort, visual symptoms, corneal staining, and visual acuity. ResultsA total of 89 eyes (77 patients) with moderate-to-severe DED (DEWS severity 3.24 ± 0.56) received treatment with self-retained cAM for 2 days (n = 10), 3 days (n = 15), 4 days (n = 12), 5 days (n = 19), 6 days (n = 6), or 7 days (n = 27). DEWS scores significantly improved at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months for all treatment duration groups, with no significant difference observed between groups at any timepoint. In addition to an improvement in DEWS severity scores, those receiving cAM treatment for 2 days demonstrated a significant improvement in corneal staining, visual symptoms, and ocular discomfort at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months. ConclusionThis retrospective study suggests that a single placement of self-retained cAM for 2 days can significantly improve signs and symptoms of DED with a lasting benefit observed for up to 3 months.