Rtf. Pires et al., Amniotic membrane transplantation or conjunctival limbal autograft for limbal stem cell deficiency induced by 5-fluorouracil in glaucoma surgeries, CORNEA, 19(3), 2000, pp. 284-287
Purpose. To determine if human amniotic membrane transplantation or limbal
stem cell transplantation is effective to restore the corneal surface with
partial or total limbal stem cell deficiency, respectively, caused by 5-flu
orouracil (5-FU) toxicity after glaucoma surgeries. Methods. Partial and to
tal limbal stem cell deficiency was confirmed by impression cytology as the
cause of reduced vision and corneal surface breakdown in a 69-year-old man
and a 67-year-old man, respectively, who both had received a total of 105
mg 5-FU injections. Amniotic membrane transplantation or conjunctival limba
l autograft was performed for corneal surface reconstruction. respectively.
Results. For a period of 15 months of follow-up, the visual acuity improve
d, and their corneal surfaces remained avascular, smooth, and without recur
rence of limbal stem cell deficiency. Conclusion. Limbal stem cell deficien
cy can occur as a late complication for patients receiving 5-FU after glauc
oma filtering surgeries. Partial limbal stem cell deficiency can be treated
with amniotic membrane transplantation alone. whereas Limbal transplantati
on must be considered as an alternative for total limbal stem cell deficien
cy to restore the corneal surface integrity and vision.