Ophthalmic Consultants of Chicago
Robert Mack, MD, is a magna cum laude graduate of Cornell University and graduated with distinction from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, where he served as president of the medical honor society. Dr. Mack is the recipient of both the Arthur J. Maschke Award for Excellence in the Art and Science of Medicine and the Irwin H. Lepow Award for Excellence in Research. He is a board-certified ophthalmologist and completed fellowship training in corneal and refractive surgery. Dr. Mack has served as an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at Rush Medical College and as co-investigator for several excimer laser clinical trials. He is also a member of the editorial board of the Journal of Refractive Surgery. He is not a consultant for Bio‑Tissue.
Neurotrophic persistent corneal epithelial defect (PED) is a degenerative corneal disease induced by an impairment of the trigeminal nerve. Impairment or loss of corneal sensory innervation is responsible for corneal epithelial defects, ulcer, and perforation.1 Neurotrophic PED is also characterized by decreased corneal sensation, epithelial breakdown, and poor healing. Coexisting ocular surface diseases such as dry eye, exposure keratitis, and limbal stem cell deficiency may worsen the prognosis. The disease progression is often asymptomatic and may lead to corneal infection and melting/perforation. Conventional treatments fail to promote prompt healing and tend to leave a corneal scar if healing does not occur immediately. Cryopreserved amniotic membrane contains nerve growth factor (NGF), which facilitates epithelial healing and helps recover corneal sensitivity2
Early intervention with placement of PROKERA® promotes regenerative healing and prevents haze.