Eyeworld

EW NEWS & OPINION July 2017 23 3360 Scherer Drive, Suite B, St. Petersburg, FL 33716 800-637-4346 • Tel: 727-209-2244 • Fax: 727-341-8123 Email: Info@RheinMedical.com • Website: www.RheinMedical.com Xen ® Is A Registered Trademark Of Allergan. Cassat, The Bath Xen ® Gel Stent Glaucoma Instruments AFBH 1378 Rev.A 08-08105T-001: Kratz/Barraquer Heavy Wire Speculum, Nasal Fit 01-2350-B: Grasping Forceps, Smooth, Non-Irrigating Black Handle 08-04418: Vera Hook Scan To Get The Complete Catalog Or Call 1-800-637-4346 For More Information Amniotic continued from page 20 Prokera and 12 received AmbioDisk. Indications for AM use were similar among the two groups, the study authors reported, and rates of com- plete success for Prokera vs. Ambio- Disk were 28.6% and 41.7%, partial success 57.1% and 50%, and failure 14.3% and 8.3%, respectively. "Whatever the product is, it's a tool like anything else and there's a right application for it and there are many wrong applications," Dr. Hovanesian said. One of the latter is using amni- otic membrane to treat "run of the mill" dry eye, Dr. Hovanesian said. "The use of amniotic membrane in that application is rarely justi- fied," Dr. Hovanesian said. "Amniot- ic membrane is effective for getting non-healing defects of the cornea to heal. It does not cure dry eye." Dr. Hovanesian said the under- lying cause of dry eye needs to be addressed first. If the cause has been addressed and there are still heal- ing problems—such as if there is a neurotrophic cornea or limbal stem cell deficiency preventing complete healing—then AM could be justified. "It's for unique applications, not for every patient with dry eye," Dr. Hovanesian said. EW References 1. Hovanesian J and Shusko A. Pterygium excision with conjunctival autograft and subconjunctival amniotic membrane as antirecurrence agents. Can J Ophthalmol. 2016;51:412–16. 2. Schechter B and Shusko A. Outcomes of pterygium excision with a conjunctival autograft and subconjunctival amniotic mem- brane graft as a prophylactic anti-recurrence agent in ethnically diverse populations. 2017 ASCRS•ASOA Symposium & Congress. 3. Gorski M, et al. Comparison of 2 of- fice-based sutureless amniotic membrane transplantation modalities for ocular surface disorders. 2015 ASCRS•ASOA Symposium & Congress. Editors' note: Dr. Hovanesian has financial interests with Katena. Dr. Schechter has no financial interests related to his comments. Contact information Hovanesian: drhovanesian@harvardeye.com Schechter: bdsch77@aol.com " Any treatment that necessitates the prolongation and maintenance of epithelial stem cells, promotion of conjunctival goblet cell differentiation, and exclusion of inflammatory cells with anti-protease activities would benefit from the inclusion of AM. " —Barry Schechter, MD

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