[Keratoprostheses. Historical overview, materials and status of current research]

The idea to substitute optically clear material in an opaque cornea is two centuries old and in that time experiments have been carried out in animals and patients without much success. The historical development of and the clinical experiences with keratoprostheses are described. Especially in the last 40 years there have been great efforts concerning design, fixation, material and surgical technique to create a device with long-term success. The best long-term survival rates are achieved with the osteo-odontokeratoprosthesis, as it is the only model with a biological haptic. Due to some disadvantages of this procedure the present research is looking for new, soft materials and surface modifications to create a biointegrable artificial cornea.