Placenta Graft Used for Eye Patients

Meet Rohin Vij, MD, MPH, a Comprehensive Ophthalmologist and cornea specialist at Mid Ohio Eye Physicians and Surgeons in Columbus, OH. Dr. Vij uses placenta grafts in his work with eye patients.

How do you use placenta grafts (amniotic membrane grafts, placenta allografts, etc.)?

I treat a wide range of conditions with amniotic membrane grafts. These include, but are not limited to, Neurotrophic Keratitis, Herpes Keratitis, Pterygium and ocular surface conditions. I use amniotic membrane grafts both in the office as well as in the OR. I’m still new to Mid Ohio Eye and have placed nine grafts in the past six months. Eight of those were done in the office and one was a surgical procedure in the OR.

How do you decide when to use a placenta graft as a treatment?

I base my decision on what would yield the best clinical outcome, as well as what’s financially reasonable for my patient. Comparisons of amniotic membrane grafts to the alternative treatments vary by the condition I’m treating and, oftentimes, the amniotic membrane graft will promote faster healing and is more comfortable.

What outcomes do you see for these patients? How does this treatment impact your patients’ quality of life?

Outcomes vary but are overall great! I recently had a patient who shared with me that he was excited to get his other eye fixed because he’s feeling so great with his first treatment.

 Why do you feel placenta donation is important?

I think it’s a remarkable advancement in technology and it’s for the greater good. I would tell the women who choose to donate that we really appreciate them because we’re able to help others due to their generosity.