Outcomes After Auro Keratoprosthesis Implantation: A Low-Cost Design Based on the Boston Keratoprosthesis

To evaluate outcomes after Auro keratoprosthesis (kpro) implantation.

Retrospective observational case series. The records of all patients who were implanted with Auro kpro from December 2012 to August 2015 at a single institute were retrospectively analyzed to evaluate preoperative characteristics, postoperative outcomes, and complications.

Fifteen cases were included in the study. Failed graft was the most common indication for the surgery (n = 14; 93.3%). The mean BCVA (Log MAR) improved from 2.20 ± 0.43 in the preoperative period to 1.46 ± 1.12 (P = 0.0247) at the mean final follow-up of 13.5 months. The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improved to 20/200 or better in 9 patients (60%) at the final follow-up. Postoperative complications included retroprosthetic membrane formation (n = 7; 46.7 %), graft infection (n = 4; 26.7%), sterile corneal melt (n = 3; 20%), and spontaneous optic extrusion (n = 1; 6.7%). Eleven patients retained prosthesis at the final follow-up (retention rate = 73.3%).

Auro kpro seems to be effective in treating end-stage corneal diseases. The outcomes are comparable to Boston kpro in terms of visual acuity, postoperative complications, and retention rates.