Therapeutic Effect of Amniotic Membrane in Persistent Epithelial Defects and Corneal Ulcers in Herpetic Keratitis

Amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) promotes rapid epithelialization and reduces stromal inflammation and ulceration in HSV-1 keratitis. 18 patients with non-healing epithelial defect or corneal ulcer caused by herpetic keratitis were included in the study. All patients were treated by AMT. Corneal epithelial cells in patients suffering from herpetic keratitis secreted 5 ± 4.8 pg/ml of IL-1a and 0.16 ± 0.47 pg/ml of IL-1b (mean ± SD). IL-1a level was significantly higher as compared to controls (p