Growth of corneal epithelial cells over in situ therapeutic contact lens after simple limbal epithelial transplantation (SLET)

Abstract

SUMMARYAn 11-year-old boy underwent simple limbal epithelial transplantation (SLET) from the healthy right eye to his left eye for total limbal stem cell deficiency. One month later, corneal surface epithelialised and whitish plaques overlying the transplants were seen inferiorly. Those plaques were adherent to the surface of the contact lens and underlying corneal surface had smooth elevations. Similar findings were noted in a 23-year man following cyanoacrylate glue application for corneal perforation. On histological and immunohistochemical analysis, cells lining the contact lenses were identified as corneal epithelial cells. These cases illustrate epithelial cell growth on the contact lens and epithelial hyperplasia on corresponding surface of the cornea. Exorbitant proliferation of the epithelial cells may be owing to young age; therefore, early contact lens removal after SLET in young age, can possibly avoid epithelial hyperplasia. This also reiterates the possibility of using contact lens as a scaffold to grow epithelial cells. BACKGROUND

Autologous Limbal Stem Cell Transplantation: The Progression of Diagnosis and Treatment

“…Since the initial publication in 2012, multiple studies and case reports have reinforced these results. [22][23][24] The utility of SLET was also demonstrated in the setting of previously failed limbal transplants. 25,26 SLET is typically performed with autologous tissues in the context of total unilateral or partial bilateral LSCD, though there have been published results using cadaveric donor tissue as well.…”

Simple limbal epithelial transplantation: Current status and future perspectives

“…These included the largest prospective study to date, with 125 patients and a follow‐up period of at least 1 year and a multicenter international study of 68 patients . The remaining 23 studies were noncomparative single case studies or case series of 10 eyes or less . One study directly compared SLET with CLAU, with 10 patients randomly assigned to each group .…”

“…One study directly compared SLET with CLAU, with 10 patients randomly assigned to each group . The Sangwan group in India published the most studies . Other centers in India, England, Brazil, Mexico, Thailand, and the United States also contributed.…”

“…27 The remaining 23 studies were noncomparative single case studies or case series of 10 eyes or less. 2,4,[33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52] One study directly compared SLET with CLAU, with 10 patients randomly assigned to each group. 33 The Sangwan group in India published the most studies.…”

“…33 The Sangwan group in India published the most studies. 2,3,27,29,35,[42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49] Other centers in India, 4,23,28,[30][31][32][33][39][40][41]51,52 England, 38 Brazil, 36 Mexico, 34 Thailand, 50 and the United States 37 also contributed.…”