Limbal Stem Cells Deficiency Epidemiology Forecast

Key Highlights

• Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency (LSCD) is a condition characterized by the loss or deficiency of stem cells in the limbus, which are essential for the regeneration and maintenance of the corneal epithelium. These stem cells play a critical role in the repair and renewal of the cornea. When lost or impaired, the corneal epithelium cannot regenerate properly, leading to various complications such as epithelial breakdown, corneal scarring, and chronic inflammation.
• Eye pain and blurry vision are common in LSCD, with symptoms like eye irritation, contact lens intolerance, and decreased vision frequently reported.
• In the 7MM, the US accounted for approximately 103,000 diagnosed prevalent cases of LSCD in 2023 as the largest share among the countries.
• In the United States, approximately 65% of LSCD cases in 2023 were unilateral, compared to the remaining 35% of bilateral cases.
• The Japan accounted for the second-highest number of male-diagnosed prevalent cases, following the US, with approximately 25,000 cases.

Report Summary

• The report offers extensive knowledge regarding the epidemiology segments and predictions, presenting a deep understanding of the potential future growth in diagnosis rates, disease progression, and diagnostic guidelines. It provides comprehensive insights into these aspects, enabling a thorough assessment of the subject matter.
• The report also encompasses a comprehensive analysis of Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency, providing an in-depth examination of its historical and projected data from 2021 to 2034. It includes detailed assumptions and the underlying rationale for the methodology.
• The report also encompasses a comprehensive analysis of Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency, providing an in-depth examination of its historical and projected data from 2021 to 2034. It includes detailed assumptions and the underlying rationale for the methodology.
• The report includes qualitative insights that provide an edge in understanding trends through SWOT analysis and expert insights/KOL views, including experts from various hospitals and prominent universities, patient journeythat help shape and drive the Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency landscape.

The table given below further depicts the key segments provided in the report:

Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency: Disease Understanding 

Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency Overview, and Diagnosis

Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency (LSCD) is an ocular surface disorder caused by a reduction in the population or function of corneal epithelial stem/progenitor cells, leading to the inability to maintain normal corneal epithelium homeostasis. This results in conjunctivalization (replacement of corneal epithelium with conjunctival epithelium) and other signs of epithelial dysfunction, such as persistent or recurrent epithelial defects, neovascularization, ocular surface inflammation, and scarring. The condition leads to decreased vision, discomfort, and a reduced Health-related Quality of Life (HRQoL). LSCD can occur alone or in association with abnormalities in other ocular surface components, including the conjunctiva, meibomian glands, lacrimal glands, tears, corneal nerves, and the immune system. Clinical signs include chronic inflammation, lipid deposition, impaired corneal wound healing, recurrent erosions, and loss of limbal palisades, while symptoms often include severe irritation, pain, photophobia, and chronic redness.

The diagnosis of Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency (LSCD) is primarily based on clinical manifestations, including symptoms such as discomfort, impaired vision, irregular epithelium, unstable tear film, persistent epithelial defects, scarring, fibrovascular pannus, neovascularization, keratinization, calcification, and corneal opacification. While clinical evaluation is often sufficient, additional diagnostic tests may be used to confirm the presence of LSCD. These tests include impression cytology to detect goblet cells, immunohistochemistry to identify specific epithelial markers, and in vivo confocal microscopy to assess the corneo limbal surface. Standardized diagnostic methods are essential for accurate diagnosis and comparison of treatment outcomes.

Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency Epidemiology

The Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency epidemiology chapter in the report provides historical as well as forecasted epidemiology segmented by Total Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of LSCD, Gender-specific Diagnosed Prevalent cases of LSCD, Severity Specific cases of LSCD, Type-specific Diagnosed Cases of LSCD, Cause-specific cases of LSCD in the United States, EU4 countries (Germany, France, Italy, Spain) and the United Kingdom, and Japan from 2021 to 2034.

• Among the 7MM, the United States accounted for the highest number of cases of Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency in 2023, with nearly 103,000 cases. These cases are anticipated to increase by 2034.
• In the 7MM, approximately 160,000 of the diagnosed prevalent cases of LSCD were in males, and 81,000 were in females in 2023.
• In the United States, approximately 65% of LSCD cases in 2023 were unilateral, compared to the remaining 35% of bilateral cases.
• Among the EU4 and the UK, Germany accounted for the highest number of approximately 25,000 diagnosed prevalent cases of LSCD.
• The Japan is estimated to have approximately 36,000 cases of Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency (LSCD), in 2023 including 13,000 mild cases, 12,000 moderate cases, and 11,000 severe cases.

KOL Views

To stay abreast of the latest trends we conduct primary research by seeking the opinions of Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) who work in the relevant field. This helps us fill any gaps in data and validate our secondary research.

Our team of analysts at Delveinsight connected with more than 15 KOLs across the 7MM. We contacted institutions. By obtaining the opinions of these experts, we gained a better understanding of the current epidemiology patterns in the Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency landscape, which will assist our clients in analyzing the overall epidemiology scenario.

The opinions of experts from various regions have been provided below:

Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency Report Key Strengths

• Eleven-year Forecast
• The 7MM Coverage 
• Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency Epidemiology Segmentation

Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency Report Assessment

• Epidemiological Trends and Disease Progression
• Qualitative Analysis (SWOT, Expert Insights, Unmet Needs)

Key Questions

• Would there be any changes observed in the epidemiological trends of Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency?
• Will there be improvements in the understanding of Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency progression?
• Would research advances lead to better epidemiological data for Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency?
• How will the diagnostic testing space impact the epidemiology of Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency?
• How will the prevalence and incidence of Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency evolve in the coming years?

Reasons to buy

• Insights on disease burden, details regarding diagnosis, and factors contributing to the change in the epidemiology of the disease during the forecast years.
• To understand the change in Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency cases in varying geographies over the coming years.
• A detailed overview of total diagnosed incident cases of Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency, type specific cases of Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency, gender specific cases of Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency age specific cases of Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency, total treated cases of Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency is included.
• To understand the perspective of key opinion leaders around the current challenges with establishing the diagnosis and insights on the treatment-eligible patient pool.
• Detailed insights on various factors hampering disease diagnosis and other existing diagnostic challenges.