Innovative Approaches in Corneal Surface Regeneration: Clinical Evaluation of the Use of Cultured Epithelial Cells of the Oral Mucosa in the Treatment of Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency

Purpose. To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the transplantation of cultured epithelial cells of the oral mucosa for the treatment of limbal stem cell deficiency. Materials and methods: The study was conducted at the Ismailov Center for High Technology Medicine from February 2023 to October 2024. The study involved 10 patients who underwent CAOMECS transplantation. Efficacy was assessed based on the condition of the epithelium and corneal parameters 180 days after the procedure. Results. 75 % of the participants had a clinical improvement in the condition of the cornea. At the same time, three patients had serious side effects requiring modification of therapeutic approaches. Conclusions. The CAOMECS method has demonstrated encouraging results in the treatment of limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD), which allows it to be recommended as a promising direction in ophthalmic therapy. The main conclusions of the study emphasize a significant clinical improvement in the condition of the cornea in the majority of patients who underwent therapy using cultured epithelial cells of the oral mucosa.

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