Ocular surface reconstruction: recent advances and future outlook.
OBJECTIVE
Ocular surface disorder underlies a diverse group of prevalent diseases in the United States, caused by biological aging, autoimmune conditions, trauma, or iatrogenic factors. Left untreated, these conditions can progress to vision loss or destruction of the globe itself. This review discusses the most recent and relevant clinical and experimental advances in the treatment options for ocular surface disorders.


RESULTS
Current literature suggests that recent progress in tissue bioengineering, and molecular and cellular biology research presents many potential interventional therapies for ocular surface diseases. Depending on the pathogenesis of each condition, treatment options include bioengineered amniotic membrane graft, limbal stem cell transplantation, conjunctival and extraocular tissue transplantation, multiagent immunosuppressant therapy, and bioartificial devices such as lacrimal gland microdevices and keratoprostheses, or tissue adhesives.


CONCLUSIONS
Much progress has been made in the fields of microbiology, stem-cell research, tissue engineering, and bioartificial devices for the treatment of the heterogeneous group of ocular surface disorders. Intensive efforts are underway to ensure the adaptation and accessibility of these therapeutic options to the general population.
Yiu
Samuel C
SC
Ocular Surface Center, Doheny Eye Institute, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA. syiu@doheny.org
Thomas
Padmaja B
PB
Nguyen
Pho
P
D001684:Biological Dressings; D001698:Biomedical Engineering; D002468:Cell Physiological Phenomena; D003229:Conjunctival Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D016039:Corneal Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D007766:Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D016850:Limbus Corneae / Q000166:cytology; D008967:Molecular Biology; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures / Q000639:trends*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000639:trends*; D012106:Research; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D016378:Tissue Transplantation