Ex-Vivo Limbal Stem Cell Transplant
Ex-Vivo Limbal Stem Cell Transplantation is a regenerative eye surgery used to restore the damaged corneal surface in patients with Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency (LSCD).
FDA Approved
Advanced Technology
At a Glance
Quick facts about Ex-Vivo Limbal Stem Cell Transplantation.
- Treatment Offered
Ex-Vivo Limbal Stem Cell Transplantation is a regenerative procedure in which a small biopsy of healthy limbal tissue is taken, stem cells are expanded in a laboratory (ex-vivo), and the cultivated cells are transplanted onto the damaged corneal surface.
- Finance
Flexible finance up to 24 months interest-free available (via partner finance).
- Why Choose
Choose Centre for Sight for its long-established reputation in specialist corneal and ocular surface care, where experienced consultant surgeons use evidence-based techniques and advanced technology to deliver safe, trusted, and consistently high-quality outcomes.
- Locations
London, Surrey, Sussex
Key Benefits
- Restores a stable, self-renewing corneal surface
- Reduces corneal scarring and vascularisation
- Improves visual acuity
- Provides long-term epithelial stability
- Can delay or eliminate the need for corneal transplantation
What Is Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency (LSCD)?
Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency (LSCD) is a serious ocular surface disorder that occurs when the limbal stem cells—located at the junction between the cornea and the sclera—are damaged or depleted. These stem cells are essential for continuously regenerating the corneal epithelium and maintaining a clear, smooth, and stable corneal surface. When they fail, the cornea cannot repair itself properly, leading to persistent epithelial defects, inflammation, ingrowth of conjunctival tissue and blood vessels (corneal neovascularisation), scarring, pain, light sensitivity, and progressive visual loss. LSCD may affect one or both eyes and can result from chemical injuries, inflammatory diseases, infections, contact lens–related damage, or previous ocular surgery. Early diagnosis and specialist management are critical to preserving vision and restoring ocular surface health.
What Are The Treatment Options for Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency?
1
Mild or Partial LSCD
In early or partial cases, treatment focuses on improving ocular surface stability and reducing inflammation. This typically includes preservative-free lubricants to maintain surface hydration, anti-inflammatory eye drops to control surface inflammation, autologous serum tears to promote epithelial healing, and bandage contact lenses to protect the cornea and support regeneration.
2
Severe or Total LSCD
In advanced cases where the limbal stem cell population is significantly reduced or absent, surgical intervention is often required. Treatment options include amniotic membrane transplantation to support healing and reduce inflammation, conjunctival limbal autograft (CLAU) using tissue from a healthy fellow eye, simple limbal epithelial transplantation (SLET), ex-vivo limbal stem cell transplantation (CLET) where stem cells are expanded in the laboratory before transplantation, and allogeneic limbal stem cell transplantation using donor tissue when both eyes are affected. The choice of procedure depends on disease severity, laterality, and overall ocular surface health.
What Are the Benefits of Stem Cell?
Ex-vivo limbal stem cell transplantation offers a regenerative approach to restoring the damaged ocular surface in patients with limbal stem cell deficiency. By expanding healthy limbal stem cells in a controlled laboratory environment before transplantation, this technique helps rebuild a stable, self-renewing corneal epithelium while minimising risk to the donor tissue. The procedure is designed to improve comfort, reduce inflammation, and enhance visual potential, particularly in complex or severe cases where conventional treatments are insufficient.
Benefits (vary by procedure):
Restoration of the corneal surface
Ex vivo stem cell transplantation aims to restore the limbal stem cell population responsible for maintaining a healthy corneal surface, helping the eye regenerate normal epithelial tissue.
Improved vision and ocular comfort
By rebuilding the damaged ocular surface, the procedure may reduce pain, irritation and light sensitivity while improving visual clarity in suitable patients.
Treatment for severe ocular surface disease
This procedure may offer a treatment option for conditions such as limbal stem cell deficiency caused by chemical injury, inflammatory disease, infection or previous surgery.
Regenerative treatment approach
The technique uses laboratory-expanded stem cells to rebuild the surface of the eye, supporting long-term healing and stability of the cornea.
Risks/side effects (not exhaustive):
Failure of stem cell graft integration
In some cases, the transplanted stem cells may not successfully integrate or survive on the ocular surface.
Infection or inflammation
As with any eye surgery, there is a small risk of infection or inflammation during the healing process.
As with any eye surgery, there is a small risk of infection or inflammation during the healing process.
The underlying condition affecting the cornea may recur or continue to affect the eye after treatment.
Need for additional treatments
Some patients may require further procedures or ongoing medical therapy to maintain ocular surface health.
Gradual visual recovery
Vision improvements may develop gradually as the corneal surface regenerates and stabilises.
Not Sure If You're Eligible?
Book a comprehensive eye examination to better understand your vision and available treatment options.
Who is Suitable for Stem Cell?
Your consultant will carefully assess your eyes to determine whether ex vivo stem cell transplantation is the most appropriate treatment for your condition. Suitability depends on the cause and severity of damage to the ocular surface, as well as the overall health of your eyes.
You may be a suitable candidate if you:
Have limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD)
This condition occurs when the stem cells responsible for maintaining the corneal surface are damaged or depleted, leading to persistent irritation, scarring and vision problems.
Have severe ocular surface damage
The procedure may be recommended for patients with damage caused by chemical injury, trauma, infection, inflammatory disease or previous eye surgery.
Have persistent symptoms that have not responded to conventional treatments
When standard treatments such as lubricating drops, medications or contact lenses are no longer effective, stem cell transplantation may be considered.
Have a stable underlying eye condition
Successful treatment often requires that inflammation or active disease affecting the eye is well controlled before surgery.
Some factors may affect suitability for ex vivo stem cell transplantation, including severe damage to other structures of the eye, uncontrolled inflammation, active infection, or significant retinal disease that limits visual potential.
A detailed consultation at Centre for Sight will allow your specialist to examine your eyes, review your medical history and determine whether ex vivo stem cell transplantation or another ocular surface treatment is the most appropriate option for you.
Flexible Financing Options
Private Medical Insurance
Many of our consultants work with all of the major insurance providers*
Self Pay
Pay in full for patients who prefer a straightforward approach
0% APR Financing
6-24 month payment plans with approved credit
Military Discount
5% discount for active military and veterans
* Private Medical Insurance is unlikely to cover Laser Eye Surgery procedures, Implantable Contact Lenses or Laser Lens Replacement
Stem Cell Information
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about stem cell transplantation
Who can be treated with stem cell transplantation?
Is Ex-Vivo Limbal Stem Cell Transplant permanent?
The transplant can provide long-term surface stability, but outcomes depend on the underlying disease and control of inflammation.
Is the procedure painful?
Most patients experience mild discomfort during recovery, which is managed with medication.
Where do our stem cells come from?
Our stem cells for transplantation are taken from a donor eye. The Limbal stem cells from this eye are cultivated into a new sheet of cells, which are then transplanted on to the eye.
A full fact sheet can be found on Stem Cell Treatment.
Have Questions?
Our patient care team is here to answer any questions you may have.
Patient Success Stories
Absolutely exceptional
From my initial consultation on 30th September to my follow up appointment on 28th October having had cataract surgery and multi focal lenses inserted in both eyes I have received exceptional care, kindness and professionalism. The entire procedure has far exceeded my expectations and absolutely everyone in the team have been incredible. I was made to feel special every step of the way which was painless and totally comfortable. I can wholeheartedly recommend Centre For Sight at East Grinstead.
Cataract
Jan McKinnell
A friend recommended Centre for Sight.
I had two cataracts removed and am delighted with the outcome. All the staff were highly professional, took meticulous care and their work was exemplary. Particular thanks to Adora who was so kind and reassuring throughout. I highly recommend Centre for Sight for anyone considering treatment.
Eventually I went to Specsavers in Egham for some mild driving glasses and the optician looked into my eyes and said that he had never seen such a good job on lens replacements. Best he had ever seen.
Cataract
Florence Angell
As I write this – five days after the first eye was done, I can see clearly! I’m hoping for further improvement as the coming weeks pass.
Overall, the team are extremely professional, all led under the leadership and expertise of Mr Daya. He only has one objective – to make your vision better. And that he has achieved.
Thank you so much.
Best wishes,
Nick
Cataract
MCALEER /NICHOLAS MR
Cataract Surgery Performed Expertly.
Cataract surgery performed expertly by Mr Sheraz M Daya on both eyes. Trifocal lense implants in one procedure and I am now glasses free with better than perfect vision. From start to finish the attention to detail, friendly professionalism and expertise of everyone at Centre For Sight was outstanding.
I cannot praise Mr Daya and his team too highly, and would recommend the procedure to anyone. It truly can be life changing.
Many thanks to everyone at Centre For Sight and in particular Mr Daya.
Cataract
Des Farrell
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