Autologous simple limbal stem cell transplantation: a case series

Abstract

This case series reviewed medical records of eight patients who underwent autologous simple limbal epithelial transplantation (SLET) for total limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) secondary to chemical injury (n=5), thermal injury (n=2), or autoimmune disorder (n=1) between 2016 and 2019 at the Caritas Medical Centre. The mean time from injury to SLET was 67 months (range, 3 weeks to 30 years). The mean time to re-epithelialization was 20 (range, 13-42) days. The follow-up duration ranged from 1 to 6 years. At the 1-year follow-up, the success rate of SLET was 37.5%, and visual gain among the three successful cases ranged from <1 line to >6 lines. Patients with Dua grade V or VI chemical injury and patients with systemic causes of LSCD had poorer prognosis, as did those with cicatricial lid changes, anterior segment necrosis, glaucoma, sterile cornea ulceration, superimposed infections, or tobacco usage. SLET should be a reconstructive procedure for chronic LSCD rather than for acute injury or inflammation.