Coralline hydroxyapatite as an ocular implant.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Biomaterials Science
• Surgical Innovation

Background:

• Ocular implants are crucial for cosmetic reconstruction after eye removal surgery.
• Traditional implants like methylmethacrylate have limitations, including migration and extrusion.
• The need for improved integrated ocular implant materials persists.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of coralline hydroxyapatite spheres as integrated ocular implants.
• To compare prosthetic motility and cosmetic outcomes with conventional implants.
• To assess complication rates, including migration and extrusion, associated with hydroxyapatite implants.

Main Methods:

• Fifty patients underwent implantation of a coralline hydroxyapatite sphere following enucleation or evisceration.
• Surgical techniques for implant placement were documented.
• Patient outcomes were monitored for prosthetic motility, cosmetic results, and complications over a mean follow-up of 10.4 months.

Main Results:

• All fifty patients achieved superior prosthetic motility compared to methylmethacrylate implants.
• No cases of implant migration or extrusion were reported during the follow-up period (2-27 months).
• Complications were minimal and readily managed, with excellent cosmetic reconstruction observed.

Conclusions:

• Coralline hydroxyapatite spheres represent a safe and effective option for integrated ocular implants.
• These implants offer significant advantages in prosthetic motility and cosmetic outcomes.
• The material demonstrates a low complication profile, avoiding issues like infection and extrusion seen with other integrated implants.