Case Report: Use of Self-retained Cryopreserved Amniotic Membrane in the Treatment of Acute Chemical Ocular Burn.

SIGNIFICANCE: Ocular chemical injury is a medical emergency in which immediate treatment is critical to prevent visual morbidity. We report a severe ocular burn case that illustrates in-office management to promote rapid re-epithelialization and reduce inflammation to restore ocular surface integrity.

PURPOSE: To report a case of severe acid burn that was managed successfully with self-retained cryopreserved amniotic membrane (AM).

METHODS: A 43-year-old man presented with complaints of pain, light sensitivity, and blurred vision in both eyes 1 day after ocular exposure to acid. Symptoms and signs were more severe in the left eye. Examination revealed diffuse conjunctival inflammation and extensive corneal, conjunctival, and limbal epithelial defects in the left eye; hence, application of cryopreserved AM was performed.

RESULTS: Placement of three self-retained AMs over a 10-day period resulted in resolution of symptoms, reduction in inflammation, complete re-epithelialization of corneal and limbal defects, and improvement of visual acuity from 20/50 to 20/20. Intriguingly, areas of conjunctival inflammation not covered by the AM remained inflamed.

CONCLUSIONS: In this case of acute chemical burn, application of self-retained AM 24 hours after injury was effective in promoting ocular surface healing, reducing inflammation, and restoring visual acuity.