Corneal Epithelial Autograft for LSCD

A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial of Corneal Epithelial Autograft for the Treatment of Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency

The purpose of the study is to explore whether femtosecond laser-assisted corneal epithelial autograft is more effective than limbal conjunctival autograft for ocular surface reconstruction in patients with limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD).

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Unilateral LSCD secondary to ocular burns, with the duration of disease of at least 24 months at the time of screening visit;
2. Presence of superficial neo-vascularization affecting at least 2 cornea quadrants and involving central cornea;
3. Informed consent signed by patient or legal guardian. Having the ability to comply with study assessments for the full duration of the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. LSCD of mild degree, with less than 2 quadrants of neo-vessel invasion and without central cornea involvement;
2. LSCD by ocular surface disorders other than pterygium;
3. Eyelids malposition;
4. The center corneal thickness<450µm, the depth of corneal opacity > 150µm;
5. High myopia with a spherical equivalent of -15.0 D or less;
6. Corneal or ocular surface infection within 30 days prior to study entry;
7. Ocular surface malignancy;
8. Uncontrolled diabetes with most recent Hemoglobin A1c greater than 8.5%;
9. Renal failure with creatinine clearance< 25ml/min;
10. Alanine aminotransferase > 40IU/L, or aspartate aminotransferase > 40IU/L;
11. Platelet levels < 150,000 or > 450,000 per microliter;
12. Hemoglobin < 12.0 g/dL (male) or < 11.0 g/dL (female);
13. Prothrombin time > 16s and activated partial thrombin time > 35s in patients not accepting anticoagulant therapy; An international normalized ratio greater than 3 in patients accepting anticoagulant therapy;
14. Pregnancy (positive test) or lactation;
15. Participation in another simultaneous medical investigation or clinical trial;
16. Severe cicatricial eye disease; Conjunctival scarring with fornix shortening;
17. Ocular comorbidities that affect the prognosis of transplantation, such as advanced glaucoma or retinal diseases;
18. Severe dry eye disease as determined by Schirmer's test < 2mm at least in one eye;
19. Any medical or social condition that in the judgment of the investigator would interfere with or serve as a contraindication to adherence to the study protocol or ability to give informed consent;
20. Signs of current infection, including fever and treatment with antibiotics;
21. Active immunological diseases;
22. History of allo-limbal transplantation, penetrating keratoplasty or anti-glaucoma filtering surgeries.