The Ophthalmology Unit, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), Kuching, Sarawak.
The Ophthalmology Department, SarawakGeneralHospital,
Kuching, Sarawak, East Malaysia.
a
a
Amniotic membrane
for partial stem cell deficiency
Photo by Professor Chua
Chung Nen
This patient with bilateral superior stem
cell deficiency developed progressive blurring of right vision as a
result of corneal neovascularization and lipid keratopathy that
gradually encroaching the central vision. To halt the progression,
superficial keratectomy was performed to remove the abnormal epithelium
and vessels. In addition, the superior bulbar conjunctiva near the
limbus was resected and the sclera was cauterized. The raw area was
covered with wet amniotic membrane followed by contact lens application
to encourage normal inferior epithelium to migrate upward. Two weeks
after the operation, the amniotic membrane fell off and the raw area was
re-epithelialized. Although the vision remained unchanged at 6/24, the
patient subjectively felt the vision was brighter and sharper.
Superior stem cell deficiency
with calcified plaque and corneal neovascularization.
Following superficial
keratectomy and conjunctival resection, the raw area was covered
by amniotic membrane before a contact lens was applied.
Three weeks post operation, the
raw area had re-epithelized. The calcified plaque was only
