Amniotic Membrane Specialist

What is an amniotic membrane?

Amniotic membrane is harvested from placental tissue. Amniotic membrane has natural anti-inflammatory, anti-scarring properties that help with healing and tissue regeneration. It also acts as a physical barrier to protect the wounded tissues of the eye as it heals, and reduces pain caused by friction of the eyelids over the surface over the eye. It contains specialized proteins and growth factors that encourages the growth of new cells, inhibits scar formation, accelerates healing, and reduces inflammation.

What conditions are treated with amniotic membrane?

Amniotic membrane is used to treat ocular surface diseases such as severe dry eye disease, corneal ulcers, pterygium, mechanical dry eye, excision of tumors, chemical burns, and Stevens-Johnson Syndrome.

Can I have an amniotic membrane treatment in the office?

Yes. Some forms of amniotic membrane are manufactured in a contact lens form, that can be simply inserted in your eye for the duration of treatment. Sometimes our ophthalmologists will use special surgical glue to secure the amniotic membrane onto a wound on your eye. The form of amniotic membrane used will differ based on your eye pathology.