Asian experience with the Pintucci keratoprosthesis

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Corneal blindness significantly impacts quality of life, especially in Asian populations.
• Conventional treatments like keratoplasty often fail in complex cases, including chemical burns and severe dry eye.
• The Pintucci Biointegrable Keratoprosthesis (PBIKP) presents an alternative for patients with otherwise untreatable corneal conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the outcomes of the Pintucci Biointegrable Keratoprosthesis (PBIKP) in a cohort of Asian patients.
• To assess the efficacy and safety of PBIKP implantation for severe corneal blindness.
• To identify potential complications and success rates associated with PBIKP in a diverse patient group.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective analysis was conducted on 31 eyes of 31 consecutive patients who received PBIKP implantation.
• Patients included those with chemical burns, failed grafts, severe dry eye, and other complex corneal pathologies.
• Follow-up ranged from 6 months to 7 years, with a mean of 3.2 years, assessing visual outcomes and complications.

Main Results:

• Twenty-four out of 31 eyes (77%) achieved visual improvement beyond finger counting at 1.5 meters, enabling independent function.
• Four eyes (13%) improved to 20/200 or better visual acuity.
• No cases of infection or retroprosthetic membrane were observed; 12 eyes experienced complications, but few were vision-threatening.

Conclusions:

• The Pintucci Biointegrable Keratoprosthesis (PBIKP) demonstrates potential as a valuable treatment option for bilateral corneal blindness in Asian patients.
• Careful patient selection is crucial for optimizing outcomes with PBIKP.
• PBIKP offers a viable solution for individuals unresponsive to conventional medical and surgical interventions for corneal disease.