Efficacy of Amniotic Membrane Transplantation on Corneal Graft Rejection with Epithelial Defects after Penetrating Keratoplasty

We report the therapeutic effect of amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) on corneal graft rejection with epithelial defects after penetrating keratoplasty (PKP). Twelve patients (12 eyes) who had epithelial and subepithelial graft rejection received human AMT, and they were compared with other 12 patients (12 eyes) who were treated with medication only. There were no differences in age, sex, time to rejection after PKP, and epithelial defect area between two groups. Time to epithelial healing and time to disappearance of rejection sign were significantly shorter in the AMT group (11.8±4.9 days and 15.5±6.3 days) than in the medical treatment group (19.0±3.7 days and 20.8±3.4 days)(p=0.01, p=0.02). AMT is effective in promoting epithelialization and improving inflammation of epithelial rejection after penetrating keratoplasty.