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Long term results of Limbal stem cell transplantation in ocular surface disease
Author(s) -
MIRI A,
ALDEIRI B,
MATHEW M
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
acta ophthalmologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.534
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1755-3768
pISSN - 1755-375X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1755-3768.2008.5333.x
Subject(s) - medicine , limbal stem cell , transplantation , visual acuity , stem cell , cornea , ophthalmology , surgery , corneal transplantation , etiology , corneal epithelium , pathology , genetics , biology
Purpose To evaluate results of limbal stem cell transplantation (LSCT) in patients with ocular surface (OS) disease. Methods The case records of 26 eyes of 25 patients who underwent LSCT with at least one year follow up were retrospectively reviewed. Aetiology, type of transplant procedure, intra and post‐operative complications and final visual outcome were analysed. Surgical success of transplanted limbal epithelial stem cells was defined by the duration of maintenance of normal corneal epithelial phenotype after surgery. Failure was defined as the presence of abnormally high fluorescein permeability and late corneal epithelial staining, recurrence of conjunctivalisation, neovascularisation, and persistent epithelial defect. Functional success was assessed by National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire 25(VFQ‐25). Results Survival of ocular surface transplantation in this study was seen in 23 procedures (82%) after 6 months and in 22 procedures (79%) after one year. An increase in visual acuity was observed after 21 limbal stem cells transplantations (75%).VFQ‐25 results have showed remarkable improvement in terms of vision and daily activities of the patients. Conclusion LSCT is an effective surgical procedure in the management of eyes prior to corneal graft surgery or as a combined procedure. Post‐operatively non healing defects and vascularisation of the cornea may contribute to the occurrence of surgical failure and the need for further procedures.