Corneal Protection for Burn Patients

Abstract

The overall goal of this research is to preserve vision of patients recovering from severe facial burns by providing an improved method to reduce development of corneal defects, inflammation, infection and opacification. To improve and understand the properties of the degradation-resistant crosslinked amniotic membranes for treating cornea of burn patients, to evaluate a sutureless method for attaching membranes to cornea and construct a membrane-encapsulated contact lens. Identified three crosslinking methods that produced amnion with maximum protection against enzymatic degradation while remaining flexible enough to conform to cornea shape. Determined that protein crosslinking greatly reduces availability of beneficial factors in native amnion. Selected two crosslinking methods for in vivo evaluation. Demonstrated that crosslinked, degradationresistant amniotic membrane can be securely sealed to the corneal surface using a sutureless, light-activated technique. Constructed an amnion-encapsulated hydrogel lens to maintain hydration on the cornea surface.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2013
Accession Number
ADA600481

Entities

People

  • Irene E. Kochevar

Organizations

  • Massachusetts General Hospital

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Availability
  • Burns
  • Chemistry
  • Composite Materials
  • Degradation
  • Dermatologic Agents
  • Eye
  • Eye Diseases
  • Health Services
  • Hydration
  • Hydrogels
  • Materials
  • Measurement
  • Membranes
  • Physical Properties
  • Pilot Studies
  • Tissues

Readers

  • Circadian Sleep-Wake Regulation and Chronobiology
  • Surface Coatings Technology.
  • Trauma Surgery or Emergency Medicine.