Results of keratoprosthesis

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Surgical Innovation

Background:

• Severe and intractable keratopathy presents significant challenges in vision restoration.
• Limited treatment options exist for advanced corneal diseases unresponsive to conventional therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of keratoprosthesis implantation in patients with severe corneal conditions.
• To identify common complications and long-term outcomes associated with keratoprosthesis surgery.

Main Methods:

• Keratoprosthesis implantation was performed on 21 patients with severe, intractable keratopathy.
• Patient outcomes were assessed based on visual acuity and complication rates over a 3.5-year period.

Main Results:

• Satisfactory visual acuity was achieved in over 50% of the treated cases.
• Common post-operative issues included glaucoma, vitreitis, and retroprosthetic membrane formation.
• No cases of device extrusion or endophthalmitis were reported; one instance of eyelid tissue necrosis occurred.

Conclusions:

• Keratoprosthesis is a valuable, albeit specialized, treatment for specific forms of severe keratopathy.
• Careful post-operative management is crucial to address potential complications such as glaucoma and inflammation.
• This surgical technique provides a necessary alternative for patients with otherwise untreatable corneal diseases.