Allogenic Simple Limbal Epithelial Transplantation Versus Amniotic Membrane Grafting in the Early Management of Severe-Grade Ocular Chemical Injuries—A Retrospective Comparative Study

Abstract

To compare outcomes of management in the early stage of severe chemical injury (grade 4 and worse; Dua classification) with amniotic membrane grafting (AMG) alone vs allogenic simple limbal epithelial transplantation (alloSLET). Retrospective comparative interventional case series. Retrospective comparative interventional series. Records of patients with severe ocular chemical injury who underwent AMG alone (between 2009 and 2013) vs alloSLET (between 2013 and 2017) were analyzed for grade of injury, time of and interventions for epithelial healing, ocular surface status post healing (grade of symblepharon, and limbal stem cell deficiency [LSCD]), and type of and need for interventions in the chronic stage. Among patients presenting in early stage of severe chemical injury, 38 eyes (median age 11 years) managed with AMG alone were compared with 39 eyes (median age 8 years) managed with alloSLET. The mean time of presentation post injury was 33.85 ± 27.5 and 40.6 ± 23.5days in the AMG and alloSLET group, respectively. The rate of epithelial healing was faster in the alloSLET group and the difference was noted to be statistically significant (odds ratio [OR] 0.966, P= .001). Similarly, the lower occurrence of LSCD (OR 0.137, P= .004) and need for keratoplasty (OR 0.093, P= .003) favored alloSLET over AMG. Final best-corrected visual acuity of >20/200 was achieved in 39.4% and 53.8% in the AMG and alloSLET groups, respectively. AlloSLET helps in faster epithelialization of the surface, thus reducing the need for subsequent surgeries in the chronic stage and aiding faster visual rehabilitation. The outcomes of alloSLET appear superior to amniotic membrane grafting alone and should be considered in eyes with grade 4 and above (Dua classification) chemical injuries in the early stage.