양막 콘택트렌즈의 각막 창상치유에 대한 효과

The Effects of Amniotic Membrane Contact Lens for Cornea Wound Healing

Purpose: To investigate the efficacy of an amniotic membrane contact lens on corneal epithelial wound healing. Methods: We made a model with a corneal epithelial wound by applying 6 mm round filter paper soaked with 1 N NaOHonto the central cornea in 24 eyes of 12 rabbits. The rabbits were divided into three groups: AMCL (amniotic membrane contact lens), T-AMT (temporary amniotic membrane transplantation) and the control group. We evaluated corneal wound healing every postoperative day using a digital photo slitlamp and fluorescein dye. The corneas were harvested for histopathologic studies after seven days and analyzed with hematoxylin-eosin (H & E) stain and TUNEL staining. Results: The average wound healing time was similar between the amniotic membrane contact lens and the temporary amniotic membrane transplantation group. The number of the infiltrated PMNs (polymorphonuclear cells) was 8.8±2.58, 8.6±2.19 and 48.6±7.12 in the AMCL, T-AMT and control groups, respectively. Apoptotic keratocytes were 3.8±1.1, 3.6±1.09 and 23.2±5.06 in the AMCL, T-AMT and control groups, respectively. In the AMCL and T-AMT groups, the number of infiltrated PMNs and apoptotic keratocytes were significantly less than those the control group (p<0.05). There were not significant differences in the number of PMNs and apoptotic cells in the AMCL and the T-AMT groups. Conclusions: Amniotic membrane contact lenses have the benefits of being an easily applied method and having a wound healing ability comparable to that possible with conventional suture methods.