[Possibilities and prospects of therapy and prevention of corneal dystrophies].
Therapeutic approaches in corneal dystrophies should aim at long-term avoidance of recurrences. At the moment, this goal can only be achieved by transplantation of healthy corneal cells. In dystrophies of keratocytes and/or endothelial cells this can be realized by conventional penetrating keratoplasty. In epithelial dystrophies, however, simultaneous transplantation of limbal stem cells is necessary. Optimal HLA-matching strategies and immunosuppressive medication are major means to prevent immunological destruction of these.
Reinhard
T
T
Augenklinik, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Moorenstrasse 5, 40225 Düsseldorf. thomas.reinhard@uni-duesseldorf.de
Spelsberg
H
H
Sundmacher
R
R
D003317:Corneal Dystrophies, Hereditary / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000601:surgery*; D016039:Corneal Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D016850:Limbus Corneae / Q000166:cytology; D011379:Prognosis; D012008:Recurrence; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation