Amniotic Membrane Therapy in Eye Care: What Practices Need to Know

Amniotic Membrane Therapy in Eye Care: What Practices Need to Know

Amniotic membrane therapy has become an established treatment option for a range of ocular surface conditions. As more eye care practices look to expand their treatment capabilities, amniotic membranes represent an accessible in-office option with a well-documented clinical history.

Blue River Medical distributes VistaGraft, a dehydrated human amniotic membrane allograft for use as an ocular surface biological covering. We serve eye care practices across Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Wyoming, and Utah.

What Is an Amniotic Membrane?

The amniotic membrane is the innermost layer of the placenta. It has unique biological properties that make it valuable in ocular surface therapy:

• Anti-inflammatory properties — helps reduce inflammation on the ocular surface
• Anti-scarring properties — inhibits fibrosis and promotes healing without scarring
• Anti-angiogenic properties — helps suppress abnormal blood vessel growth
• Promotes epithelial healing — supports regeneration of the corneal and conjunctival epithelium
• Acts as a biological scaffold — provides a substrate for cell migration and attachment

These properties make amniotic membranes useful in a variety of ocular surface applications.

Clinical Applications in Eye Care

Amniotic membranes are used in eye care for a range of conditions, including:

• Dry eye disease — particularly for moderate to severe cases with significant ocular surface involvement
• Corneal injuries and abrasions — to support epithelial healing
• Chemical and thermal burns — to reduce scarring and inflammation
• Recurrent corneal erosions — to support healing and reduce recurrence
• Post-surgical healing — following pterygium removal, corneal surgery, and other procedures
• Neurotrophic keratopathy — to support healing in compromised corneal epithelium
• Filamentary keratitis — as part of a treatment protocol for this painful condition

Types of Amniotic Membrane Products

Amniotic membrane products used in eye care come in several forms:

• Cryopreserved amniotic membrane — preserved at low temperatures to maintain biological activity; typically sutured or placed on the ocular surface
• Dehydrated amniotic membrane — processed through dehydration; often self-retaining and easier to apply in office settings

The choice of product depends on the clinical application, the severity of the condition, and the clinician's preference and experience.

Integrating Amniotic Membranes Into Your Practice

For practices interested in offering amniotic membrane therapy, key considerations include:

• Training and technique — proper application technique is important for clinical outcomes
• Storage and handling — different product types have different storage requirements
• Coding and reimbursement — amniotic membrane procedures have established CPT codes; verify coverage with your billing team
• Patient selection — identifying the right patients for amniotic membrane therapy is key to good outcomes

VistaGraft Through Blue River Medical

Blue River Medical distributes VistaGraft, a dehydrated human amniotic membrane allograft for use as an ocular surface biological covering. The general clinical discussion above does not establish product-specific indications or outcomes for VistaGraft. Follow the Instructions For Use supplied with the product; clinical decisions remain the responsibility of the treating clinician.

Call us at (877) 707-5688 or contact us for VistaGraft specifications, availability, and ordering information.