Prokera amniotic membrane for dry eyes and other eye conditions

[Rhonda]

I had the Prokera membrane placed yesterday on my right eye. It is a ring with an amniotic membrane, placed under the eyelid like a large contact lens. The membrane also contains a prophylactic antibiotic that is absorbed with the other nutrients contained in the membrane. I have dry eye, Pterygium, drusens, glaucoma, you name it! My eyes are often so red, causing people to make comments and feeling alarmed for me. So this treatment sounded a like a dream come true, for comfort and cosmetic reasons. The insertion was pain free, however it was really uncomfortable later in the day. I was using normal saline eye drops quite often. I had eye makeup on when the membrane was placed and the doctor didn't seem to think this would be a problem. Yet, I felt like some of the makeup got under the membrane, and even with tons of eye drops, I couldn't remove what looked like mascara residue. I am a small person, 103 pounds and 5'. My eyes are quite small, and they used the "slim" model. I probably could have used a child's size, if available. At any rate, I felt much more comfortable today, just blurry vision in that eye, not the same discomfort under the upper lid felt yesterday. It will be removed Thursday, and I will try to update if my eyes are more comfortable, and less red. Hoping for good results, and have scheduled procedure for the left eye in a couple of weeks... Promise not to wear mascara for the next visit!

[kathyb]

Hi Rhonda, hope all goes well with you're trial of Prokera and please keep us posted of your progress. I don't know how you've managed to wear mascara with such uncomfortable eyes, I had to stop 5 years ago when my ocular rosacea first became a problem. Didn't the eye makeup draw closer attention to your already red eyes and make them even more painful?

[miki-mama]

Hi, there.

May I ask if the Prokera was covered by your insurance, and if not, what the cost was? I had one in my eye for corneal erosion about 8 years ago. At the time, it was not covered by insurance, and the cost was very high.

[newton_chris]

hopefully the outcome was good

I had the Prokera membrane placed yesterday on my right eye. It is a ring with an amniotic membrane, placed under the eyelid like a large contact lens. The membrane also contains a prophylactic antibiotic that is absorbed with the other nutrients contained in the membrane. I have dry eye, Pterygium, drusens, glaucoma, you name it! My eyes are often so red, causing people to make comments and feeling alarmed for me. So this treatment sounded a like a dream come true, for comfort and cosmetic reasons. The insertion was pain free, however it was really uncomfortable later in the day. I was using normal saline eye drops quite often. I had eye makeup on when the membrane was placed and the doctor didn't seem to think this would be a problem. Yet, I felt like some of the makeup got under the membrane, and even with tons of eye drops, I couldn't remove what looked like mascara residue. I am a small person, 103 pounds and 5'. My eyes are quite small, and they used the "slim" model. I probably could have used a child's size, if available. At any rate, I felt much more comfortable today, just blurry vision in that eye, not the same discomfort under the upper lid felt yesterday. It will be removed Thursday, and I will try to update if my eyes are more comfortable, and less red. Hoping for good results, and have scheduled procedure for the left eye in a couple of weeks... Promise not to wear mascara for the next visit!

I hope all went well. Any news?

[Rhonda]

Hi.. sorry to take so long to respond. Having trouble using this site. Hope this works.
Medicare covered my Prokera. However, not sure if I had a good result. My eye may actually feel worse. My doc says it may just be that the Prokera healed the area and now I have increased sensation. Not sure I agree. To be fair, I didn't leave the membrane in place till it was absorbed. I felt too irritated. It may have been the ring was too large and I had make up under the membrane. Not sure if I will try the left eye. May try the Taurine, Vit E, and the L-Argenine. Also, may STOP the Restasis. My biggest concern is cosmetic, the red eyes. The dry eyes are not too bothersome for me personally. Hope this helps. Good luck.