Indications for Amniotic Membrane Grafts Used in Ontario From 2011 to 2012
Narrative Responses:
Purpose
To analyze the use of amniotic membrane grafts (AMG) in Ontario between January 2011 and December 2012.
Methods
Retrospective analysis of Eyebank of Ontario database from January 2011 to December 2012. Data including patient age, % with various diagnoses, M/F demographics, # of surgeons who use AM (%age of plastics vs cornea vs glaucoma specialists) were collected and analyzed over the study period.
Results
Almost half (49%) of the usage of AMG was for pterygium surgery, followed by non-healing corneal defects (20%). Limbal stem cell deficiency usages of AMG was the least common. Corneal surgeons were the most common subspecialists to use AMG (71%). Oculoplastic surgeons were second in terms of most usage of AMT in Ontario in 2011 and 2012, although it was only 17% of the transplants. Glaucoma surgeons were third with 9%, followed by General and Pediatric/Strabismus surgeons (2% and 1% respectively).
Conclusion
There are a variety of indications for amniotic membrane grafts. Future studies would be useful to determine the cost-effectiveness and success rates when using amniotic membrane grafts for different indications.