AIM:To observe the treatment effect of fresh amnion on refractory viral keratitis.

METHODS:Eighteen patients who came to our hospital to treat viral keratitis from June 2008 to June 2010 were selected, after corneal scaping checking, get rid of fungus and Acanthamoeba infection, all of the patients had a history of recurrent attacks. After 1 to 3 days' antiviral therapy, the selected patients accepted fresh amnion transplantation, which was according to patients' ulcer depth, then adopted the single or multiple fresh amnion transplantation. After operation, patients were still treated by antiviral and anti-bacterium, but reduced times of local drug use. Follow-up visit was 1 to 6 months, average 4 months.

RESULTS:One to 4 weeks after operation, 18 patients' keratohelcosis were all healed. Fluorescence staining was negative, corneal grassroots edema gradually faded away. 3 months after operation, 1 patient's cornea was transparent, 10 formed nebula, 7 formed macula. Comparing to pre-operation, all patients' vision improved in varying degrees.

CONCLUSION: Fresh amnion transplantation is able to fill keratohelcosis, reduce side-effect of drug to cornea, ease keratitis, and promote cornea union, which is an effective way to treat refractory viral keratitis.