Abstract
Objective: To report the clinical outcome of autologous cultured limbal epithelial cell transplantation (CLECT) followed by deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) in paediatric eyes and to correlate the clinical outcome with the phenotype of rejuvenated corneal epithelium. Methods: Four patients with total limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) underwent autologous CLECT. Cultivated cell sheets were transplanted onto the damaged ocular surface followed by DALK surgery. Excised corneal buttons were subjected to histopathological analysis. Data recorded included age, sex, laterality, nature of injury, follow-up period, severity of stem cell deficiency, visual acuity, Schirmer's test and impression cytology. Results: At a mean follow-up period of 19.5 ± 7.4 (range 9-26) months after CLECT, all 4 eyes showed epithelialized and clinically stabilized ocular surface. Manual DALK was performed in all 4 eyes, with a mean follow-up of 9.75 ± 4.5 (range 5-15) months. All eyes exhibited smooth and clear corneal epithelium with improved visual acuity. Excised corneal buttons demonstrated organized corneal epithelial morphology and showed expression of cornea-specific CK3/12 marker. Conclusion: Restoration of severely damaged ocular surface following chemical injury by using 2-stage meticulous approaches offers a new modality for the treatment of severe LSCD. Transplantation of cultivated autologous limbal epithelial cell sheet followed by DALK surgery can efficiently restore the corneal phenotype with improved vision.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
