Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 30, 2026
Full-Field Optical Coherence Microscopy for Histology-Like Analysis of Stromal Features in Corneal Grafts
Published on: October 21, 2022
Amniotic membrane transplantation combined with cryotherapy vs. lamellar keratoplasty for medically refractory
Jia Wan1, Juan Bao1, Cuiyu Wang1
1Department of Ophthalmology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, China.
Background:
Medically refractory peripheral ulcerative keratitis (PUK) is a severe condition requiring urgent surgery. This study compares the clinical outcomes of amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) combined with cryotherapy vs. lamellar keratoplasty (LKP) for this high-risk group.
Methods:
This retrospective cohort study evaluated patients with refractory PUK who underwent either AMT or LKP with a 12-month follow-up. Outcome measures included ulcer healing rate, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), epithelialization time, and recurrence rate.
Results:
A total of 58 patients (58 eyes) were included (AMT: n = 28; LKP: n = 30). Primary ulcer healing rates were comparable between the groups (AMT: 78.6%, LKP: 76.7%; P = 0.862). Both groups showed similar BCVA improvements up to 6 months postoperatively. However, the LKP group demonstrated significantly faster epithelialization (median 6 vs. 12 days; P < 0.05), superior BCVA at 12 months (P = 0.019), and a lower disease recurrence rate (10.0% vs. 32.1%; P = 0.038), although AMT demonstrated a superior safety profile with no procedure-related complications. Concurrent autoimmune diseases significantly prolonged epithelialization in both cohorts.
Conclusions:
LKP provides superior long-term optical/structural restoration and a lower recurrence rate, making it the definitive treatment for refractory PUK. However, AMT matches LKP in primary healing and mid-term efficacy. Amid global donor shortages, AMT serves as an invaluable, safe bridging therapy to stabilize the ocular surface and manage acute inflammation before definitive keratoplasty.
