title: Clinical outcomes of xeno-free autologous cultivated limbal epithelial transplantation: a 10-year study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Ocular burns can damage the corneal epithelial stem cells located at the limbus. This study evaluated the efficacy of xeno-free autologous cell-based treatment of limbal stem cell deficiency.
  
  
  METHODS
  This retrospective study included 200 patients, above 8 years of age, with clinically diagnosed unilateral total limbal stem cell deficiency due to ocular surface burns treated between 2001 and 2010. A small limbal biopsy was obtained from the unaffected eye. The limbal epithelial cells were expanded ex vivo on human amniotic membrane for 10-14 days using a xeno-free explant culture system. The resulting cultured epithelial monolayer and amniotic membrane substrate were transplanted on to the patient's affected eye. Postoperative corneal surface stability, visual improvement and complications were objectively analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A completely epithelised, avascular and clinically stable corneal surface was seen in 142 of 200 (71%) eyes at a mean follow-up of 3 ± 1.6 (range: 1-7.6) years. A two-line improvement in visual acuity, without further surgical intervention, was seen in 60.5% of eyes. All donor eyes remained healthy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Autologous cultivated limbal epithelial transplantation using a xeno-free explant culture technique was effective in long-term restoration of corneal epithelial stability and improvement of vision in eyes with ocular surface burns.
authors: Cornea and Anterior Segment Services, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Kallam Anji Reddy Campus, Road No.2, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad 500034, India. vsangwan@lvpei.org
authors: Virender S
authors: VS
authors: Sangwan
authors: Sayan
authors: S
authors: Basu
authors: Geeta K
authors: GK
authors: Vemuganti
authors: Kunjal
authors: K
authors: Sejpal
authors: Sandhya V
authors: SV
authors: Subramaniam
authors: Souvik
authors: S
authors: Bandyopadhyay
authors: Sannapaneni
authors: S
authors: Krishnaiah
authors: Subhash
authors: S
authors: Gaddipati
authors: Shubha
authors: S
authors: Tiwari
authors: Dorairajan
authors: D
authors: Balasubramanian
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000650:Amnion / Q000637:transplantation; D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D016039:Corneal Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000637:transplantation*; D005126:Eye Burns / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016850:Limbus Corneae / Q000293:injuries*; D008297:Male; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D046509:Tissue Culture Techniques; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult