ProKera is a therapeutic medical device used to treat various eye conditions. It is an amniotic membrane graft (also called a sutureless, cryopreserved amniotic membrane) that combines the healing properties of cryopreserved amniotic tissue with a flexible ring that fits over the cornea like a contact lens. The amniotic membrane promotes corneal healing, reduces inflammation, and minimizes scarring. ProKera treats many different types of ailments including corneal erosions and ulcers, patients with severe dry eye disease, corneal infections such as herpetic keratitis or other inflammatory corneal conditions, chemical burns, neurotrophic keratitis, and Stevens-Johnson Syndrome. The device is typically placed by an ophthalmologist and can remain on the eye for several days, depending on the condition being treated. ProKera provides a protective and healing environment to facilitate corneal repair. The study I picked looked at the treatment duration and clinical outcomes of using ProKera in patients with dry eye disease.
In this multi-center, retrospective cohort study, 77 patients with moderate to severe dry eye disease (DED) were chosen. A patient was given a DEWS score (Grade 1 – Grade 4) that monitors how severe the patient’s dry eye symptoms were. A DEWS score of 1 came with either mild or episodic dry eye symptoms. Patients with a DEWS score of 4 had dry eye symptoms that were severe, constant, and debilitating. The average DEWS score of the patients who were chosen were 3.24. The patients were previously treated with more conservative measure like artificial tears, cyclosporine, corticosteroids, antibiotics and NSAIDS. The ProKera device was place for an average of 5 days. Following the ProKera treatment, the DEWS score dropped from an average of 3.24 to 1.45 after the 5 days of treatment, and up to 1.47 after 3 months of treatment. Patients who got the ProKera treatment for even 2 days saw beneficial outcomes lasting up to 3 months as well. The ProKera treatment came with significant improvement in corneal staining, ocular discomfort, and visual symptoms at the 1 week, 1 month and 3-month follow-ups.
Dry eye disease is a condition marked by tear film instability and inflammation, leading to corneal epithelial and nerve damage, which exacerbates the condition through a cycle of inflammation. Conventional treatments often require prolonged use of medications and treatments to show benefits, focus mainly on reducing inflammation, and may not restore corneal nerve health, limiting their effectiveness and durability. This study showed that usage of ProKera, even with a 2-day treatment saw significant improvements in DED severity, signs, and symptoms within 1 week, lasting up to 3 months.
