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Abstract Management Of Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency By:Noha Maher. The limbal stem cells are responsible for corneal epithelial renewal and regeneration, and function as a barrier, preventing conjunctival epithelium from growing onto the cornea. A damaged corneal surface will reduce visual acuity and can ultimately lead to blindness. Following ocular surface injuries, these cells are responsible for the replacement of the stratified epithelium covering the cornea. Diseases that destroy Limbal epithelial stem cells (LESC) or their stromal micro-environment can lead to LSCD.LSCD is characterized by progressive invasion of conjunctival epithelial cells onto the cornea, superficial vascularisation, destruction of the corneal basement membrane, and chronic inflammatory cell infiltration. Limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) may be primary or secondary. Also can be classified as partial or total. LSCD is manifested by decreased vision, redness, photophobia, Clinical sings includes; opacification and vascularisation of the cornea.Currently, there is no drug therapy for limbal stem cell failure, and the treatment is therefore mostly limited to surgical intervention as the means of restoring the ocular surface in cases with limbal stem cell deficiency. Reestablishing the tear film and the ocular surface anatomy is critical for maintenance of the micro environment essential for limbal stem cell survival e.g. mucus membrane transplantation and replacement therapy for dry eye. Maintenance of the micro environment also includes management of the underlying systemic disease and ocular adnexal pathology. |