[Amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) for ocular surface reconstruction]

The authors present current opinions about the possibility of amniotic membrane transplantation for ocular surface treatment in patients with chemical and thermal burns, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, ocular cicatrical pemphigoid, persistent epithelial defects with ulceration and large conjunctival defects. Amniotic membrane facilitates migration of epithelial cells, promotes their differentiation, prevents epithelial apoptosis, does not provoke neovascularization and a typical host-versus-graft rejection. Amniotic membrane transplantation is an advance in techniques for managing ocular surface reconstruction revolutionizing corneal disease treatment.