Allogenic amniotic membrane transplant for ocular surface diseases in dogs

Abstract

Ocular surface which constitutes the conjunctiva, cornea and the precorneal tear film form the direct interface between the eye and the environment. newline newline A prospective study on the incidence and etiopathogenesis of ocular surface diseases in dogs was conducted over a period of 24 months. The patients were subjected to indirect and direct ophthalmoscopic examination, slit lamp biomicroscopy, lacrimal function tests, visual function tests, corneo-conjunctival microbial culture and ocular surface staining as a part of the screening of pathologies pertaining to precorneal tear film, conjunctiva and cornea. A standard protocol for processing and preservation of canine amniotic membrane (CAM) was followed and its efficacy on ocular surface reconstruction in dogs was studied. newline newlineAmong the 3521 canine patients presented with various ophthalmic affections, 39.1% of cases were diagnosed with various ocular surface diseases.. The highest incidence was reported with corneal stromal ulcers. newline newlineGood tissue practices followed in the processing and preservation of canine amniotic membrane yielded a cost-effective and immune privileged graft material for ocular surface reconstruction. By virtue of the abundant collagen content and mesenchymal stem cells in the extracellular matrix, canine amniotic membrane could considerably reduce the stromal healing time. Proper orientation and secure placement of the graft were the major determinants in the success of surgical procedure. newline newlineKey words: Ocular surface diseases, cornea, ulcer, amniotic membrane, canine newline