Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency

Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency (LCSD) is a condition where the delicate stem cells that regenerate tissue for the cornea (front of the eye) are damaged and no longer function appropriately. This results in poor vision with glasses and contact lenses.

This condition can develop in patients who have been on many years of medicated eye drops and in patients who dramatically overwear their contact lenses, particularly involving those who sleep in their lenses.

LCSD is a difficult condition to treat once it occurs because transplanting the dysfunctional stem cells is a difficult procedure with varying efficacy.

In our office, we see these patients for specialty contact lens consultations because most patients with LCSD are not achieving the quality of vision they want and many have a very severe dry eye which causes visual fluctuations.

There are many contact lenses designed to achieve better vision in these patients.

This is a photo of the front of an eye with limbal stem cell deficiency. The green dye used accumulates in the irregular grooves in the eye as well as the areas of dryness.

HOW CAN OUR OFFICE HELP?

In our office, we see these patients for specialty contact lens consultations because most patients with LCSD are not achieving the quality of vision they want and many have a very severe dry eye which causes visual fluctuations.

There are many contact lenses designed to achieve better vision for patients with LCSD. A lens that achieves better vision but also gives dry eye relief is called a scleral lens. At our consultations we try these lenses on in-office to see what the vision will be like.

These lenses, worn over time, give the surface of the eye a chance to heal so that patients may be able to achieve even sharper vision and dry eye relief with longer wear of the lenses.

This eye with limbal stem cell deficiency is being treated with a scleral lens.