Corneal Descemetocele Management with Multi-Layer Amniotic Membrane Transplantation in an Ocular Graft-versus-Host Disease Case

Abstract

Background: Chronic ocular graft-versus-host disease (oGVHD) is a common ocular complication following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT), characterized by progressive inflammation of the ocular surface and refractory dry eye. In severe cases, sterile corneal perforation can occur, which poses a significant challenge, due to the low survival rate of grafts after corneal transplantation. Case Presentation: A 47-year-old female presented to our hospital with persistent dryness, foreign body sensation, and blurred vision in her left eye. Diagnosis of graft-versus-host disease with corneal descemetocele in the left eye was made after detailed history review and thorough examination. Multi-layer amniotic membrane transplantation was performed in the affected eye, resulting in amelioration of the patient’s symptoms. This amelioration of symptoms provided the patient with a level of comfort that permitted additional time while awaiting corneal transplantation. Conclusions: We report a successful case of multi-layer amniotic membrane transplantation for the management of corneal descemetocele following allo-HSCT.

Keywords

• ocular graft-versus-host disease (oGVHD)
• corneal descemetocele
• sterile corneal melting
• amniotic membrane transplantation
• case report