Amniotic Membrane Transplantation in Acute Severe Ocular Chemical Injury: A Randomized Clinical Trial

To compare the outcomes of conventional medical treatment vs combined medical treatment and amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) in the management of patients with Roper-Hall grade IV ocular chemical injury. Randomized, parallel-controlled clinical trial. Setting: Single tertiary referral hospital. Patients: Sixty eyes of 60 patients with Roper-Hall grade IV ocular chemical injury with a minimum follow-up of 12 months were enrolled in the study. Intervention: Patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups: Group 1 (30 eyes) received topical preservative-free lubricating gel and drops, chloramphenicol, betamethasone, homatropine, oral vitamin C, and doxycycline; Group 2 (30 eyes) received amniotic membrane transplant (AMT) on the entire ocular surface in addition to the medical treatment provided in Group 1. Outcome Measures: The main outcome measure was time to complete corneal epithelialization. Secondary outcome measures were best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and neovascularization in the central 5 mm of the cornea. Mean follow-up time was 20.3 ± 2.5 months (range 13-24 months). Corneal epithelial defects healed within 72.6 ± 30.4 (21-180) days in Group 1 vs 75.8 ± 29.8 (46-170) days in Group 2 (P = .610). Mean BCVA was 2.06 ± 0.67 (0.4-2.6) logMAR vs 2.06 ± 0.57 (1-2.9) logMAR in Groups 1 and 2, respectively (P = .85). Group 1 developed more central corneal neovascularization (22 eyes; 73.3%) compared to Group 2 (16 eyes; 53.3%); however, it was not statistically significant (P = .108). In comparison to conventional medical therapy, combined amniotic membrane transplantation and medical therapy does not accelerate corneal epithelialization or affect final visual acuity in severe chemical injuries.