The technique of simple limbal epithelial transplantation was used in human patients with limbic deficiency and corneal opacification successfully in approximately 66% of cases. The use of this surgical technique, so far, is unprecedented in animals. It can complement the lamellar superficial keratectomy, in order to maintain corneal transparency in cases of unilateral limbal stem cell deficiency.

The technique was conducted on 3 dogs and 2 with pigmentary keratitis, 1 with lipid dystrophy. Two square millimeters of corneal limbal epithelial tissue was collected from the donor eye. This was broken up into small portions, and after the total surface lamellar keratectomy and accommodation of amniotic membrane on the cornea of the recipient eye, the fragments are distributed and fixed with homologous fibrin glue.

The postoperative followup amounted to 92 days, and all animals showed corneal pigmentation in different grades and stages. Two of them remained visual with mild and moderate pigmentation and one with severe pigmentation. Chronic pigmentary keratitis remains a challenge in veterinary medicine. Control of lubrication and inflammation is extremely important to maintain the activity of stem cells and to prevent complications like corneal ulcer and pigmentation. The preliminary results of this pioneering study authorize its continuation.