RECONSTRUCTION OF PERFORATING CORNEA USING COLD GLYCEROL PRESERVED CANINE AMNIOTIC MEMBRANE IN DOGS

Abstract

Amniotic membrane (AM) is the thin, translucent membrane lining at the inner layer of fetal membrane. It has commonly been used as a biological graft in human and veterinary ophthalmology. Clinical application of fresh AM is rare because of inconvenient use and risk of disease transmission. The objective of this study was to evaluate clinical outcomes of canine corneal perforation repair using cold glycerol-preserved canine AM compared to cryopreserved human AM. Canine AM was collected from 4 completely vaccinated, healthy bitches after cesarean sections. Micro-organism culture and histological study using light microscope were assessed in fresh and 1 month-preserved canine AM, as well as clinical outcomes after corneal reconstruction. None of micro-organism was found in all samples. Histologically, canine AM was composed of three layers; single layer ciliated low cuboidal epithelium, basement membrane and stroma containing collagen fibers. Preserved canine AM had intact epithelium and more compact collagen fibers with less organization. Preserved canine AM were significantly thinner than the fresh membrane (p<0.05). The success rate using glycerol-preserved canine AM was 87.5% (7/8 eyes) whereas that of using cryopreserved human AM was 83.33% (5/6 eyes). Protrusion of the membrane was found in one case receiving canine AM, while one receiving human AM had recurrent corneal ulcer. In conclusion, cold glycerol-preserved canine AM can be used as an alternative allograft for the treatment of corneal perforation in dogs.