[Treatment of severe caustic injuries of the anterior segment of the eye with limbal stem cell transplantation, penetrating keratoplasty and amnionic membrane transplantation].

The concept of limbal stem cells (LSC) opened new possibilities for the treatment of severe caustic damage of the anterior segment. These possibilities include transplantation of LSC, perforating keratoplasty, possibly transplantation of the amniotic membrane. In three patients with severe caustic damage of the anterior segment of the eye the authors implemented transplantation of LSC, perforating keratoplasty and in one patient also transplantation of the amniotic membrane. Where only one eye was damaged LSC for transplantation were obtained from the sound eye (autotransplantation, in case of damage of both eyes LSC were obtained in one case from a close relative in the second case from a cadaverous eye from a corneal bank (Allotransplantation). In the patient with autotransplantation of LSC, perforating keratoplasty and transplantation of the amniotic membrane the result was very good. The corneal disc remained clear 1.5 years after operation, the conjunctival sac was free from synbleropharons and vision improved from movement of the hand to 0.5. In the two patients with allotransplantation of LCS and perforating keratoplasty, LCS did not become incorporated despite immunosuppressive treatment and the corneal disc became turbid. Restored activity of LCS in severe caustic damage of the anterior segment opened new therapeutic opportunities.