Pinhole amniotic membrane for peripheral corneal defects in patients with a single eye or low vision

Aims To describe the efficacy of a new pinhole amniotic membrane placement technique in cases of peripheral epithelial defects in patients with a single eye or low vision in the contrye. Methods This technique is based on a small central hole done with a dermatological 3 to 4 mm punch (according to pupillary diameter in mesoscopic conditions) and a continuous suture in the perilimbal cornea to fix the amniotic membrane. We performed this technique in 6 patients. Patients were followed clinical and photographically. Results No changes in the visual acuity before and after the surgery were observed. During follow-up, a complete re-epithelialization was observed with no need for reinterventions. Conclusions Amniotic membrane transplantation is a very useful option in patients with persistent epithelial defects; however, its use is limited by the subsequent visual acuity. The use of the pinhole amniotic membrane technique allows us to treat peripheral persistent corneal lesions without modifying patients’ visual acuity. This new technique may become especially useful in patients with functional single eye of low vision in the contralateral eye.