Detection of Corneal Epithelial Defect Through Amniotic Membrane Patch by Fluorescein

Purpose: To demonstrate the usefulness of fluorescein dye to detect a corneal epithelial defect through an amniotic membrane patch in 4 cases. Patients and Method: Two patients with painful bullous keratopathy, 1 patient with total limbal deficiency, and 1 patient with acute chemical burn underwent surgeries in conjunction with amniotic membrane as patch. Postoperatively, slit-lamp biomicroscopic examination with and without fluorescein staining was performed. Results: The status of epithelialization, ie, corneal epithelial defect on either denuded corneal stroma or amniotic membrane graft, was indiscernible by slit-lamp biomicroscopy through the amniotic membrane patch. Nevertheless, it could be detected by fluorescein staining, especially after saline rinse, in all 4 cases. Conclusions: Fluorescein staining permits clinicians to avoid prematurely removing the amniotic membrane patch during the treatment of a persistent corneal epithelial defect.