Purpose: To describe a new technique for sutureless and glue-free amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) and to investigate its effectiveness to treat corneal persistent epithelial defects (PEDs), compared to bandage contact lens (BCL) application alone.
Methods: We performed AMT with "contact lens sandwich technique" (CLS-AMT) in 8 consecutive patients with central/para-central (up to 4.00 mm from the geometrical centre) PED/ulceration and we retrospectively compared the results with 11 BCL procedures.
Results: The procedures were performed successfully with no complications.CLS-AMT showed significantly shorter healing time than BCL (24.0 ± 19.1 vs 42.9 ± 14.6 days; P < 0.05, Mann-Whitney test). Recurrence rates were 12% and 27% for CLS-AMT and BCL, respectively.
Conclusion: CLS-AMT technique, based on the suction effect due to the superposition of a bandage contact lens on the AM-ring complex, represents a quick, low cost, easy to perform and nearly non-invasive AMT technique. This approach is able to provide adequate fixation of AM, and it seems to be a safe and effective treatment for patients with PEDs.
Keywords: Sutureless glue-free amniotic membrane transplantation; contact lens; corneal ulcer; persistent epithelial defect.