UK Clinicians present their experience transplanting amniotic membrane to aid ocular recovery in a range of conditions

The webinar launched on Tuesday 4^th October, 7pm BST with the introduction of Mr. Sajjad Ahmad, a consultant ophthalmic surgeon from Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Trust, who chaired the meeting and announced the cocktail of different amniotic membrane transplantations across different ophthalmic specialities to be discussed during the session. 

First to take the virtual floor was Mr. Jonathan Morton, a consultant plastic surgeon from Merseyside Supraregional Mohns Service, serving St Helens and Merseyside districts. Mr. Morton presented his results from 5 patients, with a range of inferior and exterior fornix and lid injuries. Omnigen was used as an adjunct for treatment allowed for the full ocular movement following ocular basal cell carcinoma removal. Mr. Morton stated how the Omnigen did a “great job” at rebuilding the interior and exterior fornix by replacing any missing conjunctiva. Mr. Morton stated his surprise at how much Omnigen was like that of the native conjunctiva once incorporated.

The second talk was given by Ms. Manvi Manu Sobti from Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, presenting her experience applying Omnigen in patients with acute Stephens Johnson Syndrome in a multi-disciplinary team, including burns and intensive care specialists at the trust. Ms. Manu Sobti uses amniotic membrane as it acts as a biological mechanical barrier between the ocular surface and mucosal surfaces; dresses and protects the eye and limits the development of inflammation. Ms. Sobti presented 3 cases of using amniotic membrane within Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis and SJS patients. The keynote of Ms. Sobti’s talk was the requirement to place amniotic membrane urgently if the bulbar conjunctiva has de-epithelised and prior to any corneal involvement.

The third of our speakers was Mr. Amit Arora from Moorfields Eye Hospital, a consultant ophthalmic surgeon who specialises in patients with ocular surface tumours. Mr Arora presented the results of 40 grafts from two different time point audits to show the teams improvement in complication rate and rates of relapse after Bette understanding of the process for Omnigen application. Additionally, through the inclusion of adjunctive therapies, such as, chemotherapy or radiotherapy.                                                                                                                                

And finally, Mr. Mayank Nanavaty from the University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, who presented on the use of Omnigen in a modified allogenic Simple Limbal Epithelial Transplantation technique. Using larger limbal explants rather than the smaller explants traditional used in Simple Limbal Epithelial Transplantation glued to a clear and denuded ocular surface. Following this an amniotic membrane patch is glued to the surface, followed by the application of an OmniLenz, bandage contact lens to keep the Omnigen patch in place.

Following their presentations, all speakers were involved in a question-and-answer session led by Mr. Ahmad on various aspects of their case reports. The webinar was sponsored by NuVision Biotherapies Ltd (www.nu-vision.co.uk) who manufacture Omnigen, a human-derived amniotic membrane tissue that is preserved using the Tereo® manufacture process. This allows the amniotic membrane to be preserved as a dry membrane that can be stored between 2 – 25^oC and can be rehydrated in vivo. Amniotic membrane is transplanted in ophthalmic subgroups due to its barrier properties that support the natural healing of the ocular surface.

 NuVision would like to send their warmest thanks to all speakers and attendees for joining and providing an interesting and fruitful environment to discuss the recent case reports of  Omnigen application. To catch-up on all aspects from the webinar, please contact Tonicha Spencer,  spencer@nu-vision.co.uk who will gladly provide access to the video recording of session.