Customised amniotic membrane: a surgeon's dream come true

Amniotic membrane (AM) is a proven ophthalmic clinical adjunct, but crude manufacturing and cold chain storage, damage its functional properties and greatly restricts clinical access. Overcoming these problems, Nottingham have developed an innovative, effective and accessible ophthalmic bandage with enhanced wound healing properties. Their AM is produced in a dry, stable and sterilised format, which allows long‐term room temperature storage and distribution, creating an ‘off the shelf’ product. Their AM has improved function over conventional frozen AM, and has the potential to become the first effective, scientifically and clinically validated, low cost treatment for ocular injury. As well as a conventional surgical adjunct for chronic indications, their pre‐clinical data suggests a ‘first of its kind’ acute and emergency application to treat superficial ocular surface injuries. It can potentially be opened and applied directly to the surface of the injury without the need for expensive surgery. As well as pain relief and protecting the wound from infection, the greatly improved profile of trophic factors of their AM facilitates wound healing to limit visual loss and reduce the burden of long‐term clinical treatment.