Evolution of techniques of limbal stem cell transplantation for restoration of ocular surface in ocular surface disorder with limbal stem cell deficiency

Abstract

Purpose: Evolution of techniques of limbal stem cell transplantation for restoration of ocular surface in ocular surface disorder with limbal stem cell deficiency. Materials and Methods: It is an observational study in which 32 eyes of LSCD were observed with different surgical techniques. Outcome parameters were evaluated in terms of visual acuity, corneal clarity, symblepharon score, vascularisation. Statistical analysis was done using Annova t-test with significance level P ( Result: The mean preoperative logMAR best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in CLAU, SLET, KLAU, and KLAL were 2.150.70, 2.700.20, 2.750.22 and 2.800.11 respectively which improved to 1.250.50, 2.000.42, 2.010.15 and 2.300.18 respectively after 6 months of follow up. Improvement in structural parameter were also seen in different surgical techniques. Conclusion: Patients in which CLAU and SLET technique were used, had shown better improvement in Visual and structural outcome as compared to those in which KLAU and KLAL technique were used. Keywords: Limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD), Limbal stem cell transplantation (LSCT) Auto conjunctival limbal graft (CLAU), Simple limbal epithelial transplantation (SLET), Keratolimbal autograft (KLAU), Keratolimbal allograft (KLAU), Amniotic membrane transplant (AMT).