title: Limbal stem cell transplantation.
abstract: The past two decades have witnessed remarkable progress in limbal stem cell transplantation. In addition to harvesting stem cells from a cadaver or a live related donor, it is now possible to cultivate limbal stem cells in vitro and then transplant them onto the recipient bed. A clear understanding of the basic disease pathology and a correct assessment of the extent of stem cell deficiency are essential. A holistic approach towards management of limbal stem cell deficiency is needed. This also includes management of the underlying systemic disease, ocular adnexal pathology and dry eye. Conjunctival limbal autografts from the healthy contralateral eye are performed for unilateral cases. In bilateral cases, tissue may be harvested from a cadaver or a living related donor; prolonged immunosuppression is needed to avoid allograft rejection in such cases. This review describes the surgical techniques, postoperative treatment regimes (including immunosuppression for allografts), the complications and their management. The short and long-term outcomes of the various modalities reported in the literature are also described.
authors.affiliation: Cornea and Anterior Segment Service, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India. fernandes@lvpei.org
authors.forename: Merle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.forename: Virender S
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Sangwan
authors.forename: Srinivas K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: Surendra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Basti
authors.forename: Mittanamalli S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Sridhar
authors.forename: Aashish K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Bansal
authors.forename: Harminder S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Dua
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000166:cytology; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016850:Limbus Corneae / Q000166:cytology*; D011182:Postoperative Care; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D014021:Tissue Preservation; D014792:Visual Acuity
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents