[Amniotic-membrane and limbic stem-cell transplantation in the management of ocular burns]

J Fr Ophtalmol. 2004 Dec;27(10):1179-90. doi: 10.1016/s0181-5512(04)96293-6.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Severe ocular burns are potentially blinding injuries. During the first month, ocular surface destruction is caused by a vicious circle of complications that may result in the pathological state of total limbal stem-cell deficiency. Amniotic membrane transplantation can be considered an early, if not immediate, surgical procedure to promote epithelialization and calm inflammation so that scarring-induced sequelae can be prevented in the chronic stage. However, when partial or total limbal stem-cell deficiency involves one or both eyes, corneal surface reconstruction relies on transplantation of autologous limbal stem cells, an allogenic source of limbal stem cells or corneal epithelial stem-cell transplantation. In this late stage, amniotic-membrane transplantation may improve prognosis of keratolimbal allograft and is useful in the treatment of symblepharons.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Biological Dressings*
  • Corneal Transplantation
  • Eye Burns / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Limbus Corneae / cytology
  • Stem Cell Transplantation* / methods