Dry Eye Syndrome, Exposure Keratopathy
Peter Andrews, MD, is a board-certified, fellowship-trained cornea, external disease, and refractive surgery specialist at the Eye Care Center of Northern Colorado. He graduated from medical school at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine and completed his ophthalmology residency and fellowship training at the University of Florida. He is a trained cornea specialist performing procedures such as LASIK, PRK, ICLs, INTACS for keratoconus, corneal transplants, DSAEK and DMEK techniques, and cataract surgery. He is a speaker for BIO‑TISSUE® and can be reached at (303) 772-3300.
Dry eye syndrome (DES) is characterized by tear film instability and ocular surface inflammation, which in turn causes cell damage, resulting in a self-perpetuating cycle of deterioration.6 Several proinflammatory cytokines including interleukin 1 (IL-1), IL-6, IL-8, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) are upregulated in DES. Elevated levels of tissue-degrading enzymes such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are also noted.7 DES may be complicated by sterile or infectious corneal ulceration, corneal perforation, and blindness. Cryopreserved amniotic membrane contains anti-inflammatory mediators, a myriad of growth factors and cytokines, and a regenerative matrix that is important to help restore a healthy and noninflamed ocular surface and maintain a stable tear film.
PROKERA® can be used as a temporary biological bandage for severe DES to restore a healthy and smooth corneal epithelium and reduce inflammation that is crucial in maintaining a stable tear film.