Oral Mucosal Epithelial Transplantation and Limbal-Rigid Contact Lens: A Therapeutic Modality for the Treatment of Severe Ocular Surface Disorders.

Abstract

Stevens-Johnson syndrome, ocular cicatricial pemphigoid, and severe thermal or chemical injury are considered severe ocular surface disorders (OSDs) because they affect the entire ocular surface, including corneal and conjunctival epithelial stem cells. In patients with severe OSDs, the long-term prognosis for limbal transplantation is poor, and the related corneal opacity and cicatrization lead to devastating visual impairment. To date, there is no standardized treatment to improve vision in cases with severe OSD. Investigating novel treatment methods for severe OSDs, our group began cultivated oral mucosal epithelial transplantation in 2002 and developed a limbal-supported rigid-type contact lens that can be applied as a nonsurgical treatment. When used in combination, these treatment methods make it possible to successfully restore vision in cases with severe OSDs.

• Authors: Chie Sotozono, Tsutomu Inatomi, Takahiro Nakamura, Mayumi Ueta, Kojiro Imai, Hideki Fukuoka, Seitaro Komai, Gaku Ishida, Koji Kitazawa, Norihiko Yokoi, Noriko Koizumi, Yasuko Kimura, Masahiro Go, Masanori Fukushima, Shigeru Kinoshita
• Journal: Cornea (Cornea) Vol. 39 Suppl 1 Pg. S19-S27 (Nov 2020) ISSN: 1536-4798 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 33181721 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Topics

• Burns, Chemical (physiopathology, therapy)
• Cells, Cultured
• Combined Modality Therapy
• Contact Lenses
• Corneal Diseases (physiopathology, therapy)
• Epithelial Cells (transplantation)
• Epithelium, Corneal (cytology, transplantation)
• Eye Burns (chemically induced, physiopathology)
• Humans
• Mouth Mucosa (cytology)
• Pemphigoid, Benign Mucous Membrane (physiopathology, therapy)
• Stem Cell Transplantation
• Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (physiopathology, therapy)
• Vision Disorders (rehabilitation)
• Visual Acuity (physiology)