Shelf-stable amniotic membrane improved outcomes in early-stage neurotrophic keratopathy

Treatment with shelf-stable, cryopreserved amniotic membrane (CAM) was associated with improvements in corneal staining, tear stability, and corneal sensitivity in patients with early-stage neurotrophic keratopathy (NK), according to a study.

The study evaluated 18 eyes from 13 patients with Mackie stage 1 NK who had not responded to prior conservative therapies and were subsequently treated with shelf-stable CAM and a 24-hour collagen shield.

At baseline, mean corneal staining score was 1.69, mean tear break-up time (TBUT) was 3.1 seconds, and mean best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.32. Approximately 10 days after treatment, there were significant improvements in corneal staining, TBUT, and BCVA, with 61.5% of eyes showing no epitheliopathy. Corneal sensitivity was normal in 9.1% of eyes at that time point.

At 1 month, corneal sensitivity returned to normal in 73.3% of eyes, and 73.3% of eyes showed no epitheliopathy. Improvements in corneal staining, TBUT, and BCVA remained significant. At the 3-month follow-up, corneal staining improved to 0.43 and TBUT increased to 6.5 seconds. Corneal sensitivity remained normal in 61.5% of eyes.

Reference
Bauza AM. Management of Stage 1 Neurotrophic Keratopathy with Shelf-Stable, Cryopreserved Amniotic Membrane: A Retrospective Study. Clin Ophthalmol. 2026;20:591419. doi: 10.2147/OPTH.S591419. PMID: 42004642; PMCID: PMC13089231.