title: Limbal lacuna: a novel limbal structure detected by in vivo laser scanning confocal microscopy.
abstract: Limbal lacuna is a novel limbal structure detected by in vivo laser scanning confocal microscopy in normal subjects and the unaffected limbus in sectoral limbal stem cell deficiency. This unique structure harbors normal limbal epithelial cells deep inside the limbal stroma and the palisades of the Vogt are absent in these subjects. This well-protected location could better shield limbal stem/progenitor cells from damage and might serve as an alternative niche for limbal stem/progenitor cells.
authors.affiliation: Jules Stein Eye Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA.
authors.forename: Siamak
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zarei-Ghanavati
authors.forename: Arturo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ramirez-Miranda
authors.forename: Sophie X
authors.initials: SX
authors.lastname: Deng
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006801:Humans; D016850:Limbus Corneae / Q000166:cytology*; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008875:Middle Aged; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*