26 EyeWorld Asia-Pacific | June 2025 CORNEA BrightMEM corneal allograft (Brightstar Therapeutics) is a new treatment option for ocular surface disease. Several sources discussed BrightMEM, their experience using it, and its treatment applications. Albert Cheung, MD, said that BrightMEM is a decellularized Descemet’s membrane product that is used for its inherent properties in cases of ocular surface disease. The anterior aspect of Descemet’s membrane contains proliferative proteins that are similar to those found in the limbal basement membrane, he said, adding that these are not typically present in the central cornea. Pre-clinical studies have demonstrated the ability of Descemet’s membrane to act as a substrate for epithelial cells and limbal stem cells, to be more resistant to degradation than amniotic membrane, and to maintain greater transparency than amniotic membrane, Dr. Cheung said. Joseph Tauber, MD, said the term “BrightMEM” is used for both a product and a procedure, BrightMEM anterior keratoplasty (BMAK), in a unique dual context. “Descemet’s membrane is the back layer of the cornea, and we’re using it on the front of the eye, and we’re doing that because of some recently discovered science from Joshua Hou, MD, at the University of Minnesota, who found that the anterior side of Descemet’s membrane, the fetal banded portion of Descemet’s membrane, contains proteins that are very supportive, encouraging of stem cells,” he said. Why does that matter? “You have to understand the normal healing process,” he said, “where there are undifferentiated stem cells at the limbus. Something by Ellen Stodola, Editorial Co-Director BrightMEM Corneal Allograft: A New Treatment For Ocular Surface Disease This case features a 77-year-old white female with partial limbal stem cell deficiency of unknown etiology treated with BrightMEM anterior keratoplasty. Preoperatively (left), the patient had superficial neovascularization and pannus from 8 o’clock to 6 o’clock involving the central visual axis. Postoperative month 4 (right), there was no recurrent neovascularization. Source: Joshua Hou, MD
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