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Outcome of simple limbal epithelial transplantation using cryopreserved amniotic membrane for unilateral limbal stem cell deficiency

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First Author: S.Singh INDIA

Co Author(s):    J. Singh   K. Dwivedi   B. Singh   S. Singh           

Abstract Details

Purpose:

This study aimed to report the surgical outcomes of autologous Simple limbal epithelial transplantation (SLET) performed for unilateral limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) following chemical injury.

Setting:

This was single centre prospective case series of patients conducted in a Regional Institute of Ophthalmology, Prayagraj (UP, INDIA) who developed unilateral LSCD after chemical injury and underwent SLET between Dec 2018 and Sept 2019 .

Methods:

Pre operatively all patients will undergo general and ophthalmic evaluation which will include Slit lamp examination , Impression cytology, Anterior segment OCT. The study included the cases of Chemical injury (Acid and alkali injury) and excluded the cases of LSCD secondary to causes other than chemical injury or cases with dry eye. Primary outcome was restoration of completely epithelized avascular corneal surface. The secondary outcome was percentage of eyes which results in improvement of vision. Patients were followed up for minimum of 6 months.

Results:

This study included 5 eyes of 5 patients with follow up of 6 months. Stable corneal surface was obtained clinically as well as pathologically in 4 cases out of 5 and visual acuity gain seen in 3 patients, one patient results in infectious keratitis after post op day 7 .The factors associated with failure of vision improvement are time of chemical injury (during childhood), duration of injury to SLET procedure, previous h/o surgical procedure.

Conclusions:

Autologous SLET is an effective and safe modality for the treatment of unilateral LSCD. In a developing country like India, with limited facilities in the healthcare system, auto-SLET is a boon for patients with unilateral LSCD.

Financial Disclosure:

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