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Updated: Jun 5, 2026
A Simple Mechanical Procedure to Create Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency in Mouse
Published on: November 17, 2016
Simultaneous deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty and limbal allograft in bilateral limbal stem cell deficiency
Masahiro Omoto1, Shigeto Shimmura, Shin Hatou
1Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Purpose:
To report the efficacy of simultaneous keratolimbal allograft (KLAL) surgery and deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) for limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD).
Methods:
We conducted a retrospective, interventional case series of six consecutive eyes of five patients with LSCD and stromal opacity due to gelatinous drop-like dystrophy (two eyes), Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS, two eyes), or aniridia (two eyes). Only patients with normal lid anatomy and Schirmer test values greater than 3 mm were enrolled. DALK was performed by viscodissection followed by a thin, 360° KLAL designed by using an artificial anterior chamber. KLAL sutures were removed after 2 weeks.
Results:
DALK and KLAL were successfully performed in all eyes, which were followed for an average of 17.2 ± 10.8 months. All eyes recovered a smooth corneal epithelium, although one SJS patient developed a persistent epithelial defect (PED) leading to opacification of the central cornea. Visual acuity improved by more than 2 lines in all eyes except that of the SJS patient with PED. No other complications were observed.
Conclusion:
Simultaneous DALK and thin-section KLAL is an effective treatment for ocular surface disease in patients with residual tear function and normal lid anatomy.
