Amniotic Membrane Transplant (AMT)

Amniotic Membrane Transplanation (AMT) is a proven treatment for conjunctivochalasis.

During AMT surgery, the wrinkled conjunctival tissue is excised and replaced with amniotic membrane. The amniotic membrane is cut to the size of the excised tissue, glued, and/or stitched into place.

AMT surgery has a very high success rate among experienced ophthalmic surgeons who specialize in eye surface reconstruction. The severity of the condition, and complicating factors, will determine how the procedure is performed and how quickly the patient will recover. After surgery, patients are typically fitted with bandage contact lenses, and are instructed to instill antibiotic and corticosteroid eye drops several times a day. Ideally, the drops will be preservative free, requiring refrigeration and some care when handling. Stitches will be removed anywhere from one to four weeks after the surgery.

Some patients report very little eye discomfort immediately after surgery. Others, who have more complicated conditions, or who have sensitivities or allergies to preservative-free eye drops, may experience some pain or burning. The symptoms are not permanent and will subside as the surgical site heals. However, it is important to contact your surgeon if you experience any pain or discomfort after surgery, so that any adjustments to treatment can be made immediately.

Amniotic membrane has been used to successfully treat conjunctivochalasis for over a decade.

References

Amniotic membrane transplantation for symptomatic conjunctivochalasis refractory to medical treatments
Meller D, Maskin SL, Pires RT, Tseng SC.
Cornea
2000 Nov;19(6):796-803.
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Amniotic membrane utilization in ophthalmological surgical procedures
Waked N, El-Kazzi V.
Le Journal médical libanais
2005 Jan-Mar;53(1):39-44.
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Effect of ocular surface reconstruction by using amniotic membrane transplant for symptomatic conjunctivochalasis on fluorescein clearance test results
Maskin SL.
Cornea
2008 Jul;27(6):644-9. doi: 10.1097/QAI.0b013e31815e723f.
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