Ocular surface reconstruction: limbal stem cell transplantation.

In summary, the management of patients with severe ocular surface disease remains difficult. Significant progress has been made toward understanding limbal stem cell disease, and surgical treatments have been refined. Short- and long-term successes have been achieved and have improved the quality of life for patients who otherwise have had no other treatment options. Further research is needed to determine the factors leading to successful long-term stem cell transplantation and those factors associated with transplantation failure. Developments in the management of limbal stem cell disease are progressing rapidly, and the long-term outlook for patients with this challenging disease continues to improve.