Key Concepts A multidisciplinary approach is necessary for ocular surface reconstruction. Optimizing the ocular surface is vital prior to performing keratoplasty. Two-stage approach is preferred over simultaneous ocular surface reconstruction and keratoplasty. Systemic immunosuppression is generally well tolerated and safe.…
Key Concepts The postoperative care of the limbal transplant patient is perhaps the most critical part of the care. Problems such as persistent inflammation or epitheliopathy should be addressed early by increasing immunosuppression or using adjunctive measures such as punctal…
Key Concepts Simple limbal epithelial transplantation (SLET) is a single step surgical procedure addressing unilateral limbal stem cell deficiency. SLET induces only minor damage to the donor eye. SLET does not require expensive and sophisticated infrastructure required for ex-vivo expansion…
Key Concept The goal of management of limbal stem cell deficiency to restore the limbal microenvironment. Advances in cell culture techniques have led to the use of cultured epithelial transplantation as an alternative procedure for the treatment of limbal stem…
Key Concepts Keratolimbal allograft (KLAL) is a surgical treatment for limbal stem cell deficiency where deceased donor tissue is used. Systemic immunosuppression is required to prevent rejection of the highly immunogenic vascularized limbal donor tissue. Structural lid abnormalities, glaucoma, and…
Key Concepts Living-related conjunctival limbal allograft (LR-CLAL) transfers fresh allogenic limbal and conjunctival (with goblet cells) tissue from a matched living relative for treatment of symptomatic partial or total limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD). Proper donor selection maximizes the success…
Key Concepts Conjunctival limbal autograft (CLAU) represents the first surgical option for unilateral limbal stem cell deficiency, given the good long-term survival results and visual outcomes. The most important risk factors contributing to graft failure are severe dry eye, chronic…
Key Concepts Renewal of the corneal epithelium results from limbal epithelial stem cells (LESCs) located at the basal layer of epithelium found at the corneoscleral limbus. The limbal stem cell niche has a crucial impact on LESC function and regulation.…
Key Concepts Cornea transplantation has made tremendous progress over the last decade, but major problems still exist: worldwide blindness, immune rejection, and severe ocular surface disease. An artificial cornea is needed due to major deficiencies in current eye banking and…
Key Concepts The osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis (OOKP) is a form of keratoprosthesis that is indicated in cases of severe, end-stage ocular surface and corneal disease, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome or chemical injury, where the severely compromised or dry ocular surface environment precludes…