Clinical outcomes of vacuum-dehydrated amniotic membrane (Omnigen) mounted on contact lens (Omnilenz) in eyes with acute chemical eye injuries

BACKGROUND: Omnigen is a vacuum-dehydrated amniotic membrane transplant. It can be delivered to the eye pre-mounted on a special bandage contact lens (Omnilenz) that enables its application without the need for sutures or glue; the aim of this study is to evaluate the short-term clinical outcomes of Omnilenz-Omnigen complex in eyes with acute chemical injury (CEI). METHODS: A prospective interventional study included patients with different grades of acute CEI attending the casualty between July 2021 and November 2022. All patients received first aid measures followed by the application of Omnilenz-Omnigen within the first 2 days. Patients were followed up for at least 1 month. Primary outcomes include epithelial defect and limbal ischemia. Secondary outcomes include best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and tolerability. RESULTS: The study included 23 eyes of 21 patients with acute CEI mostly due to alcohol (34.8%). After the 1(st) application, the size of the epithelial defect showed a statistically significant reduction (p = 0.016) with improvement in BCVA (p < 0.001). Restoration of the limbal vascularity was obtained in 56.5% of the eyes. Repeated application of Omnilenz was required in 5 eyes (21.7%). The size of the epithelial defect was reduced after the second application (p = 0.504) with improved BCVA (p = 0.185). After 1(st) month, complete epithelial healing was achieved in all the eyes. Mild limbal ischemia persists in 3 (13%) of the eyes. Final BCVA showed statistically significant improvement (p < 0.001). None of the patients develops any serious complications. CONCLUSION: Omnilenz proved to be easy to apply and well tolerated by patients, with promising clinical outcomes. [Image: see text] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00417-023-06151-9.