Cyanoacrylate Glue Patch for Corneal Melting in Keratoprosthesis

To report clinical outcomes of cyanoacrylate glue patches in managing corneal melting in keratoprosthesis (KPro).

Multicenter, retrospective, noncontrolled, interventional case series. Subjects underwent cyanoacrylate glue patches for corneal melt after KPro implantation, regardless of the underlying cause, KPro design, or melt severity. Clinical success was defined as resolving aqueous leak, halting further corneal melting, and avoiding KPro or carrier corneal graft exchange for at least 12 months after cyanoacrylate glue patch application.

Sixteen eyes of 15 patients with KPro underwent a cyanoacrylate glue patch for corneal melting. The mean time from KPro implantation to the development of corneal melt was 49.2 months. Implanted KPro models included Lucia (37.5%) and Boston type 1 with titanium (31.2%) or polymethylacrylate backplate (31.2%). Underlying etiologies for KPro implantation included recurrent graft rejection (56.2%), autoimmune disease (31.2%), and chemical injury (12.5%). A combined procedure with a cyanoacrylate glue patch and amniotic membrane transplantation was performed in 2 cases. The criteria for clinical success were met in 87.5% of patients, with only 2 eyes (12.5%) exhibiting clinical failure. Glue patches were retained successfully for a mean time of 25.50 ± 23.87 months (range: 0-84 months).

Cyanoacrylate glue patches provide a simple, safe, cost-effective, and effective treatment for corneal melts in patients with KPro.