Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 3, 2026
Ex Vivo and In Vivo Animal Models for Mechanical and Chemical Injuries of Corneal Epithelium
Published on: April 6, 2022
[The study of new soft one-piece PHEMA keratoprosthesis implanted into alkali burned rabbits cornea]
Hua Bai1, Yi-fei Huang2, Li-qiang Wang
1Department of Ophthalmology, PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China.
Objective:
This study was to evaluate clinical results of two types soft one-piece keratoprosthesis (KPros) made of PHEMA implanted to alkali burned rabbit corneas.
Methods:
Experimental study. Twelve pieces KPros were implanted alkali burned rabbit corneas(type I and II, 6 pieces respectively). The examinations including slit-lamp, fundus photography,B-ultrasound and ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) were carried out.
Results:
All Kpros were stable and no complications happened including conjunctiva flap dehiscence, aqueous leak and infection. IOP were normal by finger touch. B-ultrasound show no retina detachment and UBM show synechia in most animals (10 case). Retroprosthetic membrane happened in type I (3 case) . Visible conjunctiva hyperplasia covering the optical region happened in all KPros.
Conclusions:
(1) The same material, integrated design, maybe eliminating the material interface problem. (2)Simple surgical skills. (3)IOP measurement is possible because of soft material. (4)KPro I do not need removal of the lens and vitrectomy. The projecting portion of KPro II may reduce the incidence of proliferative membrane. Long term effects need more cases and further observation.
