Initial clinical observation of tissue-engineered epithelium transplantation for treating corneal conjunctivalization caused by burn

Abstract

To study the therapeutic results of tissue-engineered epithelium transplantation for corneal conjunctivalization caused by chemical and thermal burns. Clinical case series. From December 2007 to May 2008, in Beijing Tongren Eye Center and Beijing Tongren Hospital, six patients (6 eyes) with chemical or thermal burn injury were treated by auto-transplantation of limbus stem cells cultured on fibrin gel membrane and followed up 6 to 12 months for clinical evaluation. The clinical outcomes included visual acuity, corneal clarity and neovascularization. In 5 of 6 eyes, the postoperative visual acuity was slightly improved. During followed up period, the corneal new-forming vessels were lessen than before, but one eye showed neovascularization recurrent. The corneal clarity in 5 eyes was improved. 4 eyes were covered with transparent epithelium, 2 eyes showed light corneal opacity. The ocular surface condition of corneal conjunctivalization caused by corneal burn could be improved in short period by tissue-engineered epithelium transplantation.