Corneal Descemetocele Management with Multi-Layer Amniotic Membrane Transplantation in an Ocular Graft-versus-Host Disease Case

Medicina (Kaunas). 2023 Sep 27;59(10):1733. doi: 10.3390/medicina59101733.

Abstract

Background: Chronic ocular graft-versus-host disease (oGVHD) is a common ocular complication following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT), characterized by progressive inflammation of the ocular surface and refractory dry eye. In severe cases, sterile corneal perforation can occur, which poses a significant challenge, due to the low survival rate of grafts after corneal transplantation. Case Presentation: A 47-year-old female presented to our hospital with persistent dryness, foreign body sensation, and blurred vision in her left eye. Diagnosis of graft-versus-host disease with corneal descemetocele in the left eye was made after detailed history review and thorough examination. Multi-layer amniotic membrane transplantation was performed in the affected eye, resulting in amelioration of the patient's symptoms. This amelioration of symptoms provided the patient with a level of comfort that permitted additional time while awaiting corneal transplantation. Conclusions: We report a successful case of multi-layer amniotic membrane transplantation for the management of corneal descemetocele following allo-HSCT.

Keywords: amniotic membrane transplantation; case report; corneal descemetocele; ocular graft-versus-host disease (oGVHD); sterile corneal melting.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Amnion / transplantation
  • Cornea
  • Eye Diseases*
  • Female
  • Graft vs Host Disease* / etiology
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.