Conjunctival Limbal Autograft

Abstract

A conjunctival limbal autograft (CLAU) is indicated for patients needing epithelial stem cell (SC) transplantation for management of corneal surface disease due to unilateral limbal stem cell deficiency (Table 16.1). Prior chemical or thermal injuries are the most common causes of limbal SC deficiency. Other etiologies include iatrogenic limbal SC deficiency and extensive limbal or conjunctival neoplasias, such as conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasia, squamous cell carcinoma, and sebaceous cell carcinoma. Although these groups account for the majority of cases of unilateral limbal SC deficiency, it is important to recognize that additional cases can occur as a result of any condition where the common underlying pathology is chronic, usually severe, ocular surface inflammation.