Stem cell treatment in Chandigarh - Stem cell therapy in Chandigarh

STEM CELL TREATMENT 

( LIMBAL STEM CELL TRANSPLANT )

1. Q) When is this surgery advised ?

This is done for the treatment of limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD).

1. Q) What are the causes of LSC deficiency ?

>Chemical/Thermal Eye Injury (Burns) 

>Contact lens induced keratopathy

>Pterygium

>Intraepithelial neoplasms

>Multiple Ocular Surgeries

>Drug induced damage

>Primary LSCD

>Aniridia

>Ectodermal Dysplasia

>Secondary LSCD

>Steven’s Johnson syndrome

>Ocular cicatricial pemphigoid, etc.

1. Q) What are the problems faced if one has LSC deficiency ?

White appearance of front of eye (cornea) , repeated redness of the eye, growth of white patch/membrane onto the cornea (conjunctivalisation)

1. Q) What are the types  of LSC Transplant procedures ?

>Autolimbal Transplant

>Allolimbal Transplant

>Amniotic membrane transplants (AMT)

>Combined limbal stem cell & AMT

>Cultured LSCT

>Simple Limbal Epithelial Transplant 

1. Q) What is CULTURED LIMBAL STEM CELL TRANSPLANT ?

Cultured limbal stem cell transplant: In uniocular chemical eye injuries autologus limbal stem cell transplant have been successfully performed. Autologus limbal stem cell transplant requires large area of limbal stem cells to be harvested. Cultured limbal stem cell transplants require a small tissue and there is no risk for the healthy eye. The surgical procedure is similar to the autolimbal stem cell transplant except that the procedure needs to be performed in two stages. In the first stage the limbal biopsy is performed and a small tissue from the limbus containing stem cells in the pallisades of Vogt is harvested. The limbal biopsy is taken to the laboratory and limbal stem cells are grown on the amniotic membrane. Cell cultures are performed under strict aseptic measures. The growth of the limbal stem cells is closely monitored. It takes around two weeks for the limbal stem cell to grow. Once the growth of the cells is complete the corneal surgeon is informed to make arrangement for limbal stem cell transplant. Once the cultured limbal stem cells are released from the laboratory the stem cell transplant should be performed within 24 hours. We have gratifying results with cultured limbal stem cell transplants. 

1. Q) What is AMNIOTIC MEMBRANE TRANSPLANT ?

 Amniotic membrane transplants clinical uses: Amnion promotes corneal epithelialization and improves limbal ischemia. As the extent of limbal ischemia equates to the limbal stem cell damage, indirectly amnion preserves limbal stem cells. Amniotic membrane grafts are also helpful in healing ocular surface in acute chemical injuries. Amniotic membrane grafts reduces ocular surface inflammation and provides limbal stem cell friendly microenvironment. Thus it limits the further damage to the limbal stem cells.

1. Q) What are the other procedures performed ?

Corneal and conjunctival epithelial cell transplants: Healing of ocular surface epithelial defect may be promoted by several methods. Preservative free artificial tear drops, bandage contact lenses, amniotic membrane transplants are some of the options available. Autologous serum drops, cord serum drops and platelet rich plasma have been found effective in promoting epithelization. Corneal epithelial and conjunctival epithelial cell cultures have been proved effective in both clinical and experimental studies.

References :

Sharma A and Sharma R. Limbal stem cell transplants and amniotic membrane grafts in ocular surface disease: current perspectives. J Clin Ophthalmol. 2018;2(2):70-79.