ESCRS - PO1153 - Cornea Regeneration With Telocytes And Stem Cells

Cornea Regeneration With Telocytes And Stem Cells

Published 2024 - 42nd Congress of the ESCRS

Reference: PO1153 | Type: Free paper | DOI: 10.82333/d0m2-sz88

Authors: Ceren Ece Semiz* 1 , Faruk Semiz 1 , Njomza Hima Musa 1 , Gamze Tanrıverdi 2 , Merjem Purelku 2 , Fetih Furkan Arslan 3 , Zekeriya Alp Demirsoy 4

1Ophthalmology ,Eye Hospital,Prishtina,Kosovo, 2Embryology and Histology,Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa,İstanbul,Türkiye, 3Ophthalmology ,Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa,İstanbul,Türkiye, 4Ophthalmology ,Eye Hospital,İstanbul,Türkiye

Purpose

To perform electron microscopy, immunofluorescence, and immunohistological examination on lenticular pieces taken after intrastromal fresh myopic lenticular keratoplasty with the Smile module for patients with keratoconus who have received penetrating keratoplasty indication and to show that it is a stem cell treatment and supports corneal regeneration.

Setting

Eye Hospital, Prishtina, Kosovo

Methods

This study included 70 eyes (46 patients) with advanced keratoconus, which is an indication for corneal transplantation according to the Amsler-Krumeich classification. The donor and recipient patient were informed and treatment was planned on the same day. The donor patient underwent SMILE surgery using the VisuMax femtosecond laser. All eyes underwent fresh myopic lenticular keratoplasty with the SMILE module. Sample lenticular implants were removed from treated keratoconus patients at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years after surgery for histopathological, immunohistological, and electron microscopy examinations. For this, one patient from each group was randomly selected.

Results

In this study, healthy keratocytes, extracellular matrix, telocytes, and stem cells were observed with immunofluorescence, immunohistological, and electron microscopic examinations in the samples taken 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years after lenticular keratoplasty. The extracellular matrix provides a suitable environment for the implanted lenticule to survive. Telocytes are responsible for hemostasis, intracellular communication, and stem cell activation. Fresh lenticule contains an extracellular matrix, telocytes, and stem cells, which play an integral role in the success of stromal regeneration and damage repair. 

Conclusions

 Fresh myopic intrastromal lenticular keratoplasty is a stem cell treatment and provides corneal regeneration. Many corneal diseases can be treated with this surgical method in the future. 

(Clinical Trial Registration Number: NCT04591587)