Limbal stem cell deficiency in cats: Etiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and management

Limbal stem cell deficiency is a progressive process that causes a severe cellular reaction on the corneal surface and can result in blindness in animals, especially in cats. Many medical and surgical methods have been developed to increase the limbal epithelial stem cell population or for the restoration and reconstruction of the limbal region. With the advancements in science and technology today, cell-based regenerative therapies hold promise for the treatment of limbal stem cell deficiency in animals. This review has been prepared to evaluate the etiology of limbal epithelial stem cell deficiency, to reveal effective diagnostic criteria in determining the disease, and to provide a general perspective on the therapeutic management in cats.