Implantation of Human Peripheral Corneal Spheres into Cadaveric Human Corneal Tissue

Stem and progenitor cells isolated from human limbal tissue can be cultured in vitro as spheres. These spheres have potential for use as transplantable elements for the repopulation of corneal tissue ( Mathan et al., 2016 ). Herein we describe the detailed protocol for the implantation of human corneal spheres into cadaveric human corneal tissue. This protocol describes the procedure for sphere formation and culture, preparation of tissue for sphere implantation, corneal limbus microsurgery and sphere implantation.