PROKERA® is a therapeutic device used by eye doctors around the world to protect, repair and heal damaged eye surfaces. PROKERA® is made by clipping a piece of amniotic membrane tissue in between two rings made out of a clear, flexible material.
The amniotic membrane tissue in PROKERA® has natural therapeutic actions that help damaged eye surfaces heal. Eyes treated with PROKERA® have quicker healing, less pain, less scarring, and less inflammation. The amniotic membrane in PROKERA® is thin and clear like the tissue on the surface of your eye and protects your eye’s damaged tissue while inserted.
When damage to the eye creates cornea scarring, the healing process on the surface of the eye will develop scar tissue. The scar tissue can disrupt the way your eyelid moves and even the way tears pass across the surface. Although the healing process is natural, the cornea scarring may lead to inflammation and dry eye symptoms, as a result, in which, before Prokera, was almost unavoidable and may required surgery.
Today, PROKERA® has allowed Dr. Bass to treat mild and even severe cornea scarring through a simple application of an amniotic membrane.
Amniotic membrane therapy is a treatment used in ophthalmology and optometry to promote healing and reduce inflammation in various eye conditions. The amniotic membrane is the innermost layer of the placenta, and it has unique properties that make it beneficial for treating eye disorders. It contains a rich supply of growth factors, cytokines, and other proteins that promote tissue repair and regeneration while reducing inflammation and scarring.
Benefits of Amniotic Membrane for the Eyes:
1. Promotes Healing:
- Regenerative Properties: The amniotic membrane contains growth factors and proteins that promote the regeneration of damaged tissues. This is particularly beneficial for healing the cornea and conjunctiva, the outermost layers of the eye.
- Faster Recovery: Patients often experience quicker recovery times when treated with amniotic membrane, especially after surgeries or injuries to the cornea.
2. Reduces Inflammation:
- Anti-inflammatory Effects: The amniotic membrane has anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce inflammation in the eye, which is crucial for treating conditions like dry eye syndrome, chemical burns, and other inflammatory eye disorders.
- Immune Modulation: It helps modulate the immune response, reducing the risk of excessive inflammation and autoimmune reactions in the eye.
3. Prevents Scar Formation:
- Anti-fibrotic Properties: The amniotic membrane helps to minimize scar tissue formation, which is important for maintaining clear vision. Scarring on the cornea or conjunctiva can lead to vision impairment, so preventing this is a key benefit.
- Clearer Cornea: By reducing scarring, the amniotic membrane helps maintain the transparency of the cornea, which is essential for clear vision.
4. Supports Epithelialization:
- Epithelial Cell Growth: The membrane promotes the growth of epithelial cells, which are crucial for the repair and regeneration of the corneal surface. This is especially beneficial in conditions like persistent epithelial defects, where the surface of the cornea fails to heal properly.
- Stable Ocular Surface: By encouraging epithelialization, the membrane helps stabilize the ocular surface, reducing discomfort and improving visual outcomes.
5. Provides Pain Relief:
- Reduced Discomfort: The anti-inflammatory and healing properties of the amniotic membrane can significantly reduce pain and discomfort in patients with ocular surface disorders. It helps to soothe the eye and promote comfort during the healing process.
- Protective Barrier: When applied as a graft or patch, the membrane provides a protective barrier over the ocular surface, which can help alleviate pain and allow the eye to heal in a more controlled environment.
6. Treats a Wide Range of Conditions:
- Dry Eye Syndrome: Amniotic membrane therapy can be particularly effective in severe cases of dry eye, where other treatments have failed. It helps restore the ocular surface and reduce symptoms.
- Chemical Burns: The membrane is used to treat chemical burns to the eye, promoting healing and reducing the risk of severe scarring and vision loss.
- Corneal Ulcers and Defects: It is beneficial in treating corneal ulcers, persistent epithelial defects, and other conditions where the cornea is damaged and slow to heal.
- Pterygium Surgery: The amniotic membrane is often used in pterygium surgery (removal of growths on the conjunctiva) to prevent recurrence and promote healing.
7. Biocompatibility:
- Natural Material: Since the amniotic membrane is derived from human tissue, it is biocompatible and well-tolerated by patients, with a low risk of rejection or adverse reactions.
- No Need for Donor Matching: Unlike some other tissue transplants, there is no need for donor-recipient matching, making it a convenient and readily available treatment option.
8. Minimally Invasive:
- Simple Application: The membrane can be applied in a minimally invasive manner, often as a graft, patch, or contact lens-like device, making it a straightforward procedure with minimal discomfort.
- Outpatient Procedure: Many applications of amniotic membrane therapy can be performed as outpatient procedures, with quick recovery times.
Conclusion:
Amniotic membrane therapy is a versatile and effective treatment option for various ocular surface disorders. Its ability to promote healing, reduce inflammation, prevent scarring, and provide pain relief makes it particularly valuable in ophthalmology. It is used in conditions ranging from dry eye syndrome to corneal ulcers, chemical burns, and post-surgical recovery. The biocompatibility and regenerative properties of the amniotic membrane make it an excellent option for patients with challenging or chronic eye conditions.