PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Harminder S Dua
AU  - Augusto Azuara-Blanco
TI  - Allo-limbal transplantation in patients with limbal stem cell deficiency
AID  - 10.1136/bjo.83.4.414
DP  - 1999 Apr 01
TA  - British Journal of Ophthalmology
PG  - 414--419
VI  - 83
IP  - 4
4099  - http://bjo.bmj.com/content/83/4/414.short
4100  - http://bjo.bmj.com/content/83/4/414.full
SO  - Br J Ophthalmol1999 Apr 01; 83
AB  - AIM To report the outcome of a series of patients with stem cell deficiency who underwent allo-limbal transplantation and to describe a technique for this procedure. METHODS Six consecutive patients underwent allo-limbal stem cell transplantation. The primary diagnosis included alkali burn (n=2), trachoma (n=1), chronic rosacea blepharitis and keratoconjunctivitis (n=1), aniridia (n=1), and Stevens–Johnson syndrome (n=1). The limbal rim consisted of peripheral cornea and perilimbal sclera. FK-506 was used postoperatively for immunosuppression. RESULTS The length of follow up ranged from 3 to 24 months (mean follow up 11.8 (SD 9.3) months). The outcome was considered satisfactory in five of six cases. The corneal surface was completely epithelialised within 2 weeks, and there was a substantial improvement in vision and symptoms. One patient had recurrent epithelial defects related to eyelid abnormalities. No side effects associated with systemic immunosuppression were noted. CONCLUSION Allo-limbal transplantation, with systemic immunosuppression with FK-506 is useful in reconstruction of the ocular surface with improvement in vision in patients with severe stem cell deficiency.