Posters

In-clinic treatment of persistent epithelial defects with bespoke dry-preserved human amnion applied by contact lens

Poster Details

First Author: N.Maycock UK

Co Author(s):    F. Beer   R. Jayaswal   E. Britchford   R. Marsit   L. Sydney   A. Hopkinson     

Abstract Details

Purpose:

Management of persistent epithelial defects (PED) is challenging, and can involve extremely protracted treatment pathway to reepithelialise the surface. PED’s can be detrimental to a patients vision and quality of life. Standard therapies (medical management, debridement, bandage contact lenses and tarsorrhaphy) support healing but do not drive regeneration and wound healing. Amnion has considerable utility in the surgical reconstruction of defects. However, access to effective products in the clinic is restricted. We propose a novel dry-preserved amnion with enhanced wound-healing function, that can be effectively applied in clinic using a bespoke contact lens for improved treatment of acute disease

Setting:

1. Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth, UK 2. Academic Ophthalmology, University of Nottingham, UK 3. NuVision Biotherapies, Nottingham, UK

Methods:

In vitro - Cryopreserved human amnion (CPAM) and AM delicately dried using low temperature vacuum evaporation (Omnigen®) were prepared and applied as a removable biological dressing to asses wound healing properties in vitro. In vivo -  20 patients diagnosed with PED and unresponsive to standard care were treated with Omnigen applied in the clinic using OmniLenz®, for 2 weeks. Standard clinical assessments on wound healing were carried out.

Results:

Omnigen demonstrated significantly higher in vitro wound healing properties compared to CPAM. When applied in the clinic using OmniLenz, effective wound healing was observed in all patients non-responsive to standard care. Furthermore, a two week Omnigen treatment reduced inflammation and pain sensation of the defect. 2 recurrences were observed, after the removal of OmniLenz

Conclusions:

Omnigen demonstrated superior in vitro wound healing to amnion produced using existing cryo-preservation methods. Clinical treatment of PED with Omnigen demonstrated the wound healing potential of Omnigen. OmniLenz application of Omnigen provides surgeons with an innovative and effective strategy for improved treatment of challenging PED. In clinic application of Omnigen may even provide an early intervention treatment strategies to effectively prevent PED development

Financial Disclosure:

... gains financially from product or procedure presented, ... is employed by a for-profit company with an interest in the subject of the presentation