Artificial corneas versus donor corneas for repeat corneal transplants

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Regenerative Medicine
• Biomaterials Science

Background:

• Repeat corneal transplantation may involve artificial (keratoprosthesis) or donor corneas after failed prior grafts.
• Both procedures replace diseased, opaque corneas with new ones.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the effectiveness of artificial versus donor corneas for repeat corneal transplantation.
• To evaluate outcomes in patients with one or more failed donor corneal transplantations.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature search of multiple databases including CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, LILACS, ClinicalTrials.gov, and WHO ICTRP.
• Independent assessment of identified reports by two review authors to identify randomized controlled trials or controlled clinical trials.
• No date or language restrictions were applied to the search.

Main Results:

• No randomized controlled trials or controlled clinical trials were identified comparing artificial corneas with donor corneas for repeat corneal transplantations.
• The optimal management strategy for individuals with failed corneal transplants remains undetermined.

Conclusions:

• There is a critical lack of controlled trials comparing artificial corneal devices (e.g., Boston type 1 keratoprosthesis) with repeat donor corneal transplantation.
• Such trials are essential to guide surgeons and patients regarding visual outcomes and complications.
• Further research is needed to benefit the growing population with visual impairment due to corneal opacification.