Dr. Johnson may be able to help your extreme dry eyes with Prokera.
The PROKERA® biologic corneal bandage is designed to help heal and protect the inflamed surface of the eye. PROKERA® is the only Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-cleared therapeutic device that reduces inflammation and promotes scar-less healing.
We are excited to be able to offer this great source of natural healing to our patients. Dr. Johnson has used Prokera to help those with chronic stinging dry eyes as well as those with poor healing corneas. For example, one patient had blurry vision and thought she needed glasses. Dr. Johnson discovered that it was actually her chemotherapy which caused her corneas to be very rough and dry. The patient did not fully heal with eyedrops alone, so Dr. Johnson treated her with Prokera and now she’s seeing clear again!
The PROKERA corneal bandage consists of a segment of amniotic membrane tissue fitted between two clear, flexible rings. The amniotic membrane, which is found within the human placenta, is donated by women who have been medically screened and have provided consent after a cesarean-section childbirth. The amniotic membrane is cryopreserved and saved in a tissue bank regulated by the FDA.
The PROKERA Treatment
The PROKERA treatment option may be used in patients with the following conditions:
- Chemical Burns in cornea
- Corneal Ulcers / erosion / scarring
- Keratitis
- Ocular herpes
- Severe dry eye syndrome
- Other corneal disorders
The PROKERA biologic corneal bandage protects the surface of the eye from external irritants, relieving pain and promoting healing. The PROKERA bandage is placed on the eye by a physician and patients should not remove it unless otherwise instructed. It is similar to a contact lens in shape, but slightly thicker, so some patients experience discomfort during a short adjustment period. Special instructions that must be followed after the insertion of the PROKERA corneal bandage will be provided. Prokera is fully covered by most medical insurance plans.
