RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Proof-of-concept study of electrospun PLGA membrane in the treatment of limbal stem cell deficiency JF BMJ Open Ophthalmology JO BMJ Open Ophth FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd SP e000762 DO 10.1136/bmjophth-2021-000762 VO 6 IS 1 A1 Charanya Ramachandran A1 Pallavi Deshpande A1 Ilida Ortega A1 Farshid Sefat A1 Rob McKean A1 Mala Srivastava A1 Sheila MacNeil A1 Sayan Basu A1 Virender Singh Sangwan YR 2021 UL http://bmjophth.bmj.com/content/6/1/e000762.abstract AB Objective The aim of this study was to assess the safety of poly-lactic co-glycolic acid (PLGA) electrospun membranes as carriers for limbal tissue explants for treatment of limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD).Methods and analysis Approval was obtained for a first in-man study from the Drug Controller General of India. PLGA membranes were applied to the affected eye of five patients after removal of the vascular pannus. Simple limbal epithelial transplantation was performed and limbal explants were secured on the membrane using fibrin glue followed by a bandage contact lens. Patients were followed up for 1 year with ocular exams including slit lamp exam, corneal thickness measurements, intraocular pressure measurements and recording of corneal vascularisation and visual acuity. Systemic examinations included pain grading, clinical laboratory assessment, blood chemistry and urine analysis at baseline, 3 and 6 months after surgery.Results PLGA membranes completely degraded by 8 weeks post-transplantation without any infection or inflammation. In all five patients, the epithelium regenerated by 3 months. In two in five patients, there was a sustained two-line improvement in vision. In one in five patients, the vision improvement was limited due to an underlying stromal scarring. There was recurrence of pannus and LSCD in two in five patients 6 months after surgery which was not attributable to the membrane. The ocular surface remained clear with no epithelial defects in three in five subjects at 12 months.Conclusion PLGA electrospun membranes show promise as carrier for limbal epithelial cells in the treatment of LSCD.All data relevant to this study are included in the article.