Once the corneal surface has stabilized, surgery is the main approach to treatment. Types of surgeries:

In the case of a partial LSCD:, a sequential sector conjunctival epitheliectomy (SSCE) can be performed to remove any tissue (pannus) that has grown over the cornea. This procedure is sometimes used as a temporary measure until further surgical interventions are possible. Transplantation of amniotic membrane from a placenta may also help. Although amniotic membrane does not have stem cells of its own, it supports regeneration of limbal stem cells. However, further surgical intervention may be needed if these approaches are unsuccessful, or when disease is more severe. Conjunctival limbal autograft (CLAU) involves transplantation of limbal tissue from a patients healthy eye. As the procedure is achieved by transplanting autologous limbal stem cells from the patients healthy eye, there is no risk of immune rejection, and hence no need for systemic immunosuppression. However, this procedure represents a risk for the donor eye, as the patient already has one eye damaged. In the case of bilateral LSCD, where both eyes are affected, it may be possible to transplant limbal tissue from a living donor (usually a relative). This is known as a conjunctival limbal allograft (CLAL). CLAL can be performed with both partial or total LSCD, the donor tissue is usually from a sibling or parent. As with CLAU, only a part of the donor limbus can be transplanted, as a live donor is being used. Being an allogenic transplant, immunosuppression is required, due to the risk of rejection.
Limbal stem cells, also known as corneal epithelial stem cells, are stem cells located in the basal epithelial layer of the corneal limbus. They form the border between the cornea and the sclera. Characteristics of limbal stem cells include a slow turnover rate, high proliferative potential, clonogenicity, expression of stem cell markers, as well as the ability to regenerate the entire corneal epithelium. Limbal stem cell proliferation has the role of maintaining the cornea; for example, by replacing cells that are lost via tears. Additionally, these cells also prevent the conjunctival epithelial cells from migrating onto the surface of the cornea. Medical conditions and treatments
Damage to the limbus can lead to limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD); this may be primary - related to an insufficient stromal microenvironment to support stem cell functions, such as aniridia, and other congenital conditions, or secondary – caused by external factors that destroy the limbal stem cells, such as chemical or thermal burns, radiation, surgery, infection, use of contact lenses, or certain drugs. Signs and symptoms include: conjunctivalisation, corneal vascularisation, edema, ocular discomfort or pain, visual impairment, and blindness, which are likely associated with failure in the process of regenerating the corneal epithelium. Immediate management aims to limit traumatic or chemical damage to the limbus, control inflammation, and help achieve a healthy corneal epithelium. Initial treatment after trauma/injury includes preservative-free artificial tears, topical steroids, ‘bandage’ contact lenses, and autologous eye drops (eye drops manufactured from the patients own blood serum and plasma).