The Effect of Amniotic Membrane Extracted Eye Drop on Repairing The Corneal Epithelial in Patients after Trans-Epithelial Photorefractive Keratectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE: Recent studies imply extensive applications for the human amniotic membrane (hAM) and its extract in medicine and ophthalmology. The content of hAM meets many requirements in eye surgeries, such as refractive surgery as the most important and commonly used method for treating the dramatically increasing refractive errors. However, they are associated with complications such as corneal haziness and corneal ulcer. This study was designed to evaluate the impact of amniotic membrane extracted eye drop (AMEED) on Trans-PRK surgery complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This randomized controlled trial was performed during two years (July 1, 2019-September 1, 2020). Thirty-two patients (64 eyes), including 17 females and 15 males, aged 20 to 50 years (mean age of 29.59 ± 6.51) with spherical equivalent between -5 to -1.5 underwent Trans Epithelial Photorefractive Keratectomy (Trans-PRK) surgery. One eye was selected per case (case group) and the other eye was considered as control. Randomization was done using the random allocation rule. The case group was treated with AMEED, and the artificial tear drop every 4 hours. The control eyes received artificial tear drops instilled every 4 hours. The evaluation continued for three days after the Trans-PRK surgery. RESULTS: A significant decrease in CED size was found in the AMEED group on the second day after surgery (P=0.046). Also, this group had a substantial reduction in pain, hyperemia, and haziness. CONCLUSION: This study showed that AMEED drop can increase the healing rate of corneal epithelial lesions after Trans- PRK surgery and reduce the early and late complications of Trans-PRK surgery. Researchers and Ophthalmologists should consider AMEED as a selection in patients with persistent corneal epithelial defects and patients who have difficulty in corneal epithelial healing. We understood AMEED has a different effect on the cornea after surgery; therefore, the researcher must know AMEED’s exact ingredients and help expand AMEED uses (registration number: TCTR20230306001).