Early Clinical Outcomes of the First Commercialized Human Autologous Ex Vivo Cultivated Oral Mucosal Epithelial Cell Transplantation for Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency: Two Case Reports and Literature Review.

The first product in the world for ex vivo cultivated oral mucosal epithelial cell transplantation (COMET) to treat limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD), named Ocural®, was launched in June 2021 in Japan. COMET was performed on two patients, including the first case in the post-marketing phase of Ocural®. Pathological and immunohistochemical examinations were also carried out using specimens obtained before and after COMET and the spare cell sheet. In case 1, the ocular surface remained free from epithelial defects for approximately six months. In case 2, although defect of the cornea-like epithelia was observed after COMET for one month, it was resolved after the insertion of lacrimal punctal plugs. In case 1, adjuvant treatment was interrupted due to an accident during the second month after COMET, resulting in conjunctival ingrowth and corneal opacity. Eventually, a lamellar keratoplasty was required at six months after COMET. Immunohistochemistry revealed the presence of markers for stem cells (p63, p75), proliferation (Ki-67), and differentiation (Keratin-3, -4, and -13) in both the cornea-like tissue after COMET and a cultivated oral mucosal epithelial cell sheet. In conclusion, Ocural® can be accomplished without major complications, and the stem cells derived from oral mucosa might be successfully engrafted.

Refractive Correction After Penetrating Keratoplasty by a New Soft Contact Lens with a Special Design for Astigmatism: A Case Report.

YOUSOFT is a new soft contact lens (CL) specifically designed for the correction of astigmatism. It is a conventional FDA Group II soft contact lens (SCL) and the optical zone in its centre is thick, and on its rear surface it has a prism ballast structure to prevent rotation. This lens was prescribed for a 59-year-old male on the eye with irregular corneal astigmatism after receiving penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) for refractive correction, whose eye was difficult to wear hard CLs (HCLs). After following the directions in the fitting manual provided by the manufacturer, fitting was good in the right eye and corrected visual acuity was 20/25 in Snellen Chart. He could continue wearing without CL discomfortable YOUSOFT may be useful in patients who have received PKP.