LIMBAL CELL AUTOGRAFT TRANSPLANTATION FOR SEVERE OCULAR SURFACE DISORDERS

Background: Limbal cell transplantation may improve the visual outcome after chemical trauma and ocular surface diseases. Methods: Nine eyes of nine consecutive patients (eight males and one female, age 9-60 ye ars), underwent limbal autograft transplantation (LAUT). In five cases LAUT was done for severe chemical burns in the acute stage (group 1). In four patients with old chemical trauma LAUT was performed years af ter the trauma (group 2). Penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) was carried o ut within 6 months after LAUT in three patients of group 2. Preoperati vely, the visual acuity in all the patients except one was counting fi ngers. Postoperatively, patients were treated with topical antibiotics , topical corticosteroids and oral steroids. Oral cyclosporin was used after penetrating keratoplasty. Results: No complications were observ ed during the surgical procedure. Postoperatively, the epithelializati on was complete between days 7 and 12. The inflammatory response subsi ded within 3 months and the stromal neovascularization decreased. Visu al acuity improved in all the nine cases, ranging from 6/6 to 6/30. Th e decreased visual acuity was due to corneal haze, scars and vasculari zation. Following PKP, the three grafts remained clear with intact epi thelium. No complications were observed during the follow-up period fr om 7 to 60 months. Conclusions: Limbal cell transplantation is an effi cacious procedure for rehabilitation of visual acuity after severe che mical trauma.