AlphaCor™ keratoprosthesis: postoperative development of six patients

Purpose  AlphaCor™ (Argus Biomedical Pty. Ltd., Perth, Australia) is an artificial, soft, one-piece keratoprosthesis (KPro) indicated for severe corneal conditions not treatable by a donor graft. To evaluate the efficacy and visual restoring of six patients with complete corneal opacification and deep neovascularizations treated with AlphaCor™. Methods  A retrospective review of six patients with a history of corneal opacification treated with keratoprosthesis surgery. AlphaCor™ synthetic cornea was implanted into the corneal stroma. During the follow-up time, slit-lamp and ultrasound examinations, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and intraocular pressure measurements were performed. Results  Six eyes with corneal scarring and vascularizations in three to four quadrants of six patients to years of age underwent a keratoprosthesis procedure. The follow-up time was 13–36 months; mean 23 months. The operation procedure was not limited by severe complications. The preoperative BCVA was hand movement to light perception. The postoperative BCVA ranged between 20/200 and 80/100. Intraocular pressure was controlled in all cases. Three patients developed a melting of the anterior corneal lamella. The keratoprosthesis had to be explanted (15–34 months after implantation) and was replaced by a donor cornea. Conclusions  Further evaluation is needed to evaluate the role of AlphaCor™ as a keratoprosthesis.     

Histopathology of explanted collar button keratoprostheses: a clinicopathologic correlation

PURPOSE: To compare the histopathology of three PMMA collar button type keratoprosthesis (KPro)/corneal specimens, explanted due to various complications, with that from one KPro/corneal specimen taken postmortem from an otherwise "healthy" enucleated eye. METHODS: Patient 1 (chemical injury) had no problems for 3 years after KPro placement; the entire eye was obtained postmortem. Patient 2 (repeated graft failures, nonautoimmune disease) developed an "unlaserable" retroprosthesis membrane 4 months after KPro placement. A new KPro was placed. Patient 3 [ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP)] developed tissue melt at the KPro-cornea interface 7 months after KPro placement, and the KPro was replaced. Patient 4 (OCP) developed progressive corneal melt around the KPro 3.5 years after placement resulting in replacement. All KPro/cornea specimens were processed and sectioned for histology with the KPro in place. RESULTS: All patients exhibited growth of corneal or conjunctival derived epithelium under the KPro front plate. In patients 1 and 2, no epithelial downgrowth was noted and the keratocyte density appeared normal with few inflammatory cells present. Dense fibrous tissue was present behind the KPro in patient 2. Patients 3 and 4 showed massive inflammatory cell infiltration and tissue necrosis with "melt" adjacent to the stem resulting in epithelial downgrowth. CONCLUSIONS: Corneal inflammation and degradation after KPro placement correlate well with the preoperative diagnostic category. Patients with immune-related corneal surface disease can exhibit marked inflammatory responses leading to necrosis, stromal melting, and the formation of an epithelial fistula. In contrast, patients without autoimmune corneal disease demonstrate a remarkably noninflamed cornea with intact keratocytes and without epithelial ingrowth, commensurate with their clinical appearance.     

The Boston Keratoprosthesis in severe ocular trauma

BACKGROUND: In eyes with corneal disease and opacity so severe that standard corneal transplantation carries a poor prognosis, a keratoprosthesis (KPro) may still be successful in providing functional visual acuity. The purpose of this study was to determine the outcome of Boston KPro implantation in the rehabilitation of severe ocular trauma. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 30 eyes (30 patients) with severe ocular trauma that underwent Boston KPro type I implantation at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. Of these 30 eyes, 6 had mechanical trauma, 21 had chemical burns, and 3 had thermal burns. The measures used in this review are 5-fold: (i) anatomic success; (ii) number of postoperative repair procedures performed; (iii) preoperative and postoperative visual acuity; (iv) number of eyes with concomitant preoperative retinal or optic nerve damage prior to KPro surgery; and (v) incidence of postoperative complications. RESULTS: Preoperative visual acuity ranged from counting fingers to light perception (median: hand motion). Best-corrected postoperative visual acuity ranged from 20/20 to no light perception (median: 20/80). Anatomic success was achieved in 5 out of 5 mechanically traumatized eyes, 14 out of 17 eyes with chemical burns, and 3 out of 3 eyes with thermal burns. Repair procedures were done in 8 of the 17 chemically burned eyes. The number of eyes with concomitant preoperative ocular disease was 2 out of 6 in the mechanical trauma group, 10 out of 21 in the chemical burn group, and 1 out of 3 in the thermal burn group. The incidence of postoperative complications was greater in the chemical burn group than in either the mechanical trauma or the thermal burn group. INTERPRETATION: The Boston KPro can provide considerable visual improvement and a long-term anatomic retention rate in severely traumatized eyes. The overwhelming danger in severe chemical burns is glaucoma progression despite a functioning tube implant and normal intraocular pressure.     

Keratoprosthesis: an update

Porous polytetrafluoroethylene and polyurethane skirt materials, as well as copolymers of poly (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate), have shown promise in approaching the goal of a "biointegratable" keratoprosthesis. A novel fixation method that uses scleral haptics also has been introduced to increase stability. An all silicone device that can be sewn into position has been used successfully, temporarily, during vitreoretinal procedures. The prognosis of keratoprosthesis (KPro) procedures depends on the preoperative diagnosis: graft failure-noncicatrizing disease>ocular cicatricial pemphigoid>chemical burns>Stevens-Johnson syndrome. The likelihood of endophthalmitis after KPro surgery follows this scheme. Causative organisms tend to be gram-positive. Modified vitreoretinal techniques also have been developed, allowing successful treatment of posterior segment complications. The science of keratoprosthesis is advancing more rapidly than in previous years. However, use of KPro to address complicated corneal blindness worldwide remains limited. The authors conducted an English language literature review from January 1, 2000 to April 1, 2001 and describe advances of note in the field of keratoprosthesis design, materials, and medical and surgical management.     

Boston type 1 keratoprosthesis: the CHUM experience

Objective: To describe the characteristics, indications, complications, and outcomes of the patients who underwent Boston type 1 keratoprosthesis (KPro) surgery at the Université de Montreal affiliated Notre-Dame Hospital.Design: Retrospective case series.Participants: Forty-seven eyes of 43 patients who underwent KPro surgery.Methods: The charts of all patients who underwent KPro surgery at Notre-Dame Hospital between October 2008 and February 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative parameters were collected and analyzed.Results: The indication for Boston type 1 KPro was corneal graft failure in 27 eyes; 20 eyes had KPro as a primary procedure. Preoperative diagnoses included aniridia (34%), mechanical trauma (11%), infections (9%), surgery-related bullous keratopathy (9%), chemical burns (9%), corneal dystrophies (9%), and Stevens-Johnson syndrome (2%). A known history of glaucoma was present in 36 eyes (77%). Median preoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was hand motion (range, 20/100 to light perception). The assembly of the KPro and surgery were uneventful in all cases. Mean follow-up was 10 ± 5 months. Median BCVA at last follow-up was 20/150 (range, 20/30 to no light perception). The device retention rate was 100% at the end of the follow-up period. Postoperative complications included retroprosthetic membrane in 12 eyes (26%) and glaucoma progression in 11 eyes (23%).Conclusions: Our study demonstrates an excellent retention rate of the Boston type 1 KPro and an improvement of BCVA in the majority of patients. Many patients undergoing KPro surgery have ocular comorbidities that require ongoing care to prevent further vision loss following KPro surgery.     

Implantation of Iakymenko keratoprosthesis in patients with severe ocular injury

AIM: To present the results of implantation of Iakymenko keratoprosthesis in five patients with vascularized corneal leukoma caused by severe ocular injury. METHODS: Iakymenko keratoprosthesis was implanted into 5 eyes of 5 patients: 4 patients were suffered from chemical burns and 1 patient from explosive injury. The preoperative visual acuity ranged from light perception to hand motion. The implantation surgery was composed of two-stage procedures. The follow-up period was from 9 months to 11 years. The outcome measures were visual acuity, retention, and complications of the keratoprosthesis. RESULTS: Vision improvements were achieved in most patients. All keratoprosthesis were retained within the follow-up period. Corneal melting occurred in one patient and fibrous closure in another patient, both of which were successfully treated. Retinal detachment occurred in one patient after surgery. CONCLUSION: Iakymenko keratoprosthesis seems to be a promising alternative for the patients with severe corneal injury, but further investigation is needed to evaluate the role of Iakymenko keratoprosthesis.     

Clinical Features and Prognosis of Boston Type I Keratoprosthesis-associated Corneal Melt

Purpose: To describe the clinical features and outcomes of corneal melt associated with Boston type I keratoprosthesis (KPro) implantation.

Methods: Medical records of patients who experienced corneal melt following KPro implantation were reviewed retrospectively.

Results: Sixty-six adult patients had KPro implantation from January 2004 to November 2010. Six patients had an underlying inflammatory ocular surface disorder. Four experienced corneal melt (6.1%) 5–42 months after the initial surgery. One patient was diagnosed with Sjögren’s syndrome as a result of diagnostic workup following melt. Three patients were treated with systemic immunomodulatory therapy; two experienced fungal keratitis and subsequent endophthalmitis. KPro had to be explanted and replaced with donor cornea in all cases.

Conclusions: KPro-associated corneal melt is uncommon and appears to occur in patients with preexisting inflammatory disorders, which might not have been previously diagnosed. Timely explantation of KPro and replacement with donor cornea may prevent a poor outcome.     

Corneal replacement using a synthetic hydrogel cornea,AlphaCor: device,preliminary outcomes and complications

PURPOSE: Clinical assessment of outcome of corneal replacement with a synthetic cornea, AlphaCor, in patients considered at too high risk for conventional penetrating keratoplasty with donor tissue to be successful, but excluding indications such as end-stage dry eye that might be suited to traditional prosthokeratoplasty. METHODS: All patients in the multicentre clinical trial were managed according to an approved protocol, with Ethics Committee approval in each centre. Preoperative visual acuity ranged from perception of light (PL) to 6/60 (20/200). Implantation was by means of an intralamellar technique, with a conjunctival flap in most cases. Tissues anterior to the optic were removed as a secondary procedure. RESULTS: Up to 30 November 2001, 40 AlphaCor devices had been implanted in 38 patients, of mean age 60 years. Follow-up ranged from 0.5 months to 3 years. There had been one extrusion (2.5%) and four cases (10%) where a device had been removed due to melt-related complications. All five of these cases received a donor corneal graft after the device was removed, with these grafts remaining anatomically satisfactory and epithelialised to date. Corneal melts in AlphaCor recipients were found to be strongly associated with a history of ocular herpes simplex infection. Two further devices (5%) were removed owing to reduced optic clarity after presumed drug-related deposition, and have been successfully replaced with second devices. Mean preoperative best-corrected visual acuity was hand movements. Visual acuities after surgery ranged from PL to 6/6(-2) (20/20(-2)). CONCLUSIONS: Early results suggest that the AlphaCor, previously known as the Chirila keratoprosthesis (Chirila KPro), has a low incidence of the complications traditionally associated with keratoprostheses and can be effective in restoring vision in patients considered untreatable by conventional corneal transplantation. Importantly, the device can be replaced with a donor graft in the event of development of a significant complication. A history of ocular herpes simplex is a contraindication to AlphaCor implantation. Ongoing monitoring of clinical outcomes in all patients will allow the indications for AlphaCor, as opposed to donor grafts, to be determined.     

Anatomical survival and visual prognosis of Boston type I keratoprosthesis in challenging cases

Purpose

To describe the outcome of patients with Boston type 1 keratoprosthesis, with regard to anatomical and visual success.

Methods

Retrospective case series of patients who underwent Boston type I keratoprosthesis surgery at the Centro de Oftalmología Barraquer in Barcelona and at the University Eye Clinic in Salzburg between May 2006 and December 2011. Sixty-seven eyes were included. Anatomical success, visual acuity, and complication rate were evaluated and correlated with the initial diagnosis.

Results

The mean age of patients was 54 years; 62 % were male and 38 % were female. Eleven patients underwent Type I Boston Kpro implantation as a primary procedure, while the other 52 patients had previous graft failure. The most frequent diagnoses were autoimmune diseases (16 eyes), severe chemical or thermal burn (12 eyes), leukoma post-infectious keratitis (seven eyes) and bullous keratopathy (six eyes). The mean follow-up time was 26 months. Retention of the prosthesis was achieved in 95 % at 1 year and 78 % at 4.5 years. Two eyes suffered extrusion of the KPro, six underwent successful exchange of the prosthesis either due to infection, necrosis or extrusion, three KPro’s had to be explantated, and two eyes ended up in enucleation due to panophthalmitis. The outcome of the autoimmune cases was similar to the group with “other diagnoses” and better than those with chemical/thermal burn. The most frequent complication was development of a retroprosthetic membrane in 21 eyes (34 %). Visual acuity (LogMAR) in the chemical/thermal burn group was 2.30 preoperatively, 0.69 at 1 year, 0.52 at 2 years and 0.39 at 3 years; in the autoimmune group visual acuity was 2.3 preoperatively, 0.65 at 1 year, 0.15 at 2 years, and 1.5 at 3 years.

Conclusions

Boston type 1 keratoprosthesis is a viable option for patients with repeated graft failure, even for those with challenging diagnoses such as ocular burns and autoimmune syndromes.     

Amniotic membrane transplantation in acute chemical and thermal injury

PURPOSE: To present a case of chemical injury and a case of thermal injury treated by amniotic membrane transplantation in acute phase. METHODS: Case reports. An eye with sodium hydroxide injury, opaque cornea, and limbal ischemia of more than 180 degrees and an eye with hot tea injury, opaque cornea, stromal edema, and scarring were treated by amniotic membrane transplantation within the first few weeks of injury. RESULTS: In the eye with sodium hydroxide injury, 4 months after amniotic membrane transplantation, the ocular surface is stable, superficial corneal scarring with vascularization is present, and visual acuity is 20/25. In the eye with thermal injury, 6 months after amniotic membrane transplantation, the ocular surface is stable, but there is superficial scarring and vascularization, and visual acuity is 20/20. CONCLUSIONS: Amniotic membrane transplantation can be considered in chemical injury with severe limbal ischemia and in severe thermal injury in acute phase. Long-term studies are warranted to evaluate further the efficacy of amniotic membrane transplantation in these clinical situations.     

人工角膜植入术的临床研究

评价复杂性角膜混浊患者行人工角膜植入术的临床效果和并发症等。方法选择15例双眼盲目患者的单侧眼15只,术前视力均为光感,角膜混浊病变无法用常规角膜移植手术达到复明目的。其中严重碱烧伤6只眼,严重酸烧伤3只眼,铝水烧伤2只眼,爆炸伤1只眼,严重实质性眼干燥症1只眼,多次穿透性角膜移植失败角膜严重血管化2只眼。人工角膜(MICOF)由俄罗斯费德洛夫眼外科中心制造。手术分两期：一期手术将人工角膜支架植入角膜层问,选择病例行角膜表面或层问加固性手术。约3个月后行二期手术,植入带螺纹的人工角膜光学部。常规行晶状体、部分虹膜及前部玻璃体切除术,将外1／3上、下睑缘做永久性缝合。对完全睑球粘连者,用上、下睑皮肤覆盖角膜表面,仅暴露人工角膜光学部。结果二期术后观察4～26个月,平均9．5个月,除1只眼视力光感外,其余眼裸眼视力0．12～1．0。手术并发症包括分离角膜板层时穿入前房,晶状体皮质残留,柱镜前表面结膜上皮遮盖,柱镜前表面纤维增生组织遮盖,柱镜后壁沉着物,角膜溶解。结论人工角膜特别适合于穿透性角膜移植难于成功的双眼盲目者,而且是对目前严重角膜瘢痕血管化、严重眼睑或泪液功能不良患者有效的复明手段。该术式结合自体结膜遮盖、骨膜层问移植及睑裂部分缝合等,有利于人工角膜的长期存留。     

Medium term results in keratoprostheses with biocompatible and biological haptic

Purpose Corneal grafts or limbal stem cell transplantation are often unsuccessful in patients with severe ocular surface disorders such as severe dry eye syndrome, symblepharon or diffuse vascularisation. In those patients, a keratoprosthesis (KPro) may be an alternative for the recovery of vision. Various KPro differ from each other in the material of the haptic that supports the optic cylinder. The haptic may be made of biocompatible or biological material such as tibia bone (TKPro) or dentine and alveolar bone (osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis, OOKP). On the basis of our experience, we wanted to comment on the value of different KPro.Methods Over the last 10 years we have implanted a total of 35 KPro, 29 with biological haptic (25 OOKP and four TKPro), and six KPro with biocompatible haptic (one Legais KPro, five Pintucci KPro). A follow up examination was carried out approximately every6 months.Results The patients gained a visual acuity of ≥0.9 in 20.6%, of ≥0.5 in 52.9%, of ≥0.2 in 61.8% and a significant improvement in visual acuity in 76.5%, respectively. There was no significant difference between the various types of KPro concerning the best postoperative visual acuity. All patients showing poor improvement had a pre-existing end stage secondary glaucoma or other retinal damage. The median follow-up was 2.9 years (maximum 8) for OOKP, 1 year for TKPro, 1 year (maximum 2) for Pintucci Kpro and 6 month for Legeais KPro. During this period, only one of the KPro with biological haptic was lost (one TKPro after 1 year), compared with four out of six of the KPro with biocompatible haptic (P<0.0001).Conclusions Fixation of the KPro by a root of the patient´s own tooth (OOKP) leads to the best results in the long-term follow up, as our results as well as the literature demonstrate. As long as a KPro is in place, the visual acuity is as good as the retinal function. For the ranking of different types of KPro, the percentage and the duration of the anatomic success are most important. The comparability of the various KPro results may be limited, since the patients were not randomised and the four groups differ in number.Presented at the 102. Congress of the Deutschen Ophthalmologischen Gesellschaft, Berlin.     

Management of corneal melt in patients with Boston Keratoprosthesis Type 1: Repair versus repeat

PurposeTo evaluate outcomes of Boston keratoprosthesis (KPro) repair versus repeat KPro as treatment for corneal melt in KPro patients.MethodsRetrospective study of adult KPro patients with melt managed by KPro repair or repeat KPro by one surgeon (MH-D). Incidence of sight- or globe-threatening complications, risk of recurrence of melt and change in BCVA before and 3 months after the procedure were compared between both treatment groups. Change from pre-melt BCVA to final BCVA was compared between primary versus secondary repeat KPro after repair attempt.ResultsThis study included 19 eyes of 19 patients with melt and mean follow-up of 8.7 years. Primary repeat KPro was performed in 6 eyes (32%) and KPro repair in 13 eyes (68%). There were no significant differences in gender, age, or incidence of complications after KPro repair versus after repeat KPro (92% and 83% complication rate respectively, p > 0.05). The odds ratio for melt recurrence after KPro repair versus repeat KPro was 24 (95% CI 1.68–340). Change in BCVA was not significantly different in KPro repair versus repeat KPro nor in primary versus secondary repeat KPro (p > 0.05).ConclusionsRepeat KPro offers a lower risk of recurrence of melt compared to KPro repair. However, repair may be considered when timely access to a new KPro and corneal graft is not possible. Delaying repeat KPro does not significantly affect final BCVA. Finally, repeat KPro is the only effective treatment when melt has led to extrusion or uncontrollable infection.     

Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty combined with autologous limbal stem cell transplantation in unilateral severe chemical injury

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty combined with autologous limbal stem cell transplantation for ocular surface reconstruction and visual rehabilitation in eyes with unilateral, late-stage, severe chemical injury. METHODS: This was a retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series that included 7 eyes of 7 patients, with severe unilateral late stage chemical injury, exhibiting corneal vascularization, conjunctivalization, and extensive corneal scarring were treated at the C. J. Shah Cornea Service, Sankara Nethralaya, a tertiary care center. Surgical procedures included releasing symblepharon adhesions, excising epibulbar fibrous tissue, superficial keratectomy to remove fibrovascular tissues over cornea, deep anterior lamellar dissection, grafting a lamellar corneal button, and transplanting autologous limbal graft, with or without amniotic membrane transplantation. The main outcome measures were relief of patient symptoms, postoperative recovery of the ocular surface, corneal clarity, corneal epithelial stability, and best corrected visual acuity. RESULTS: The mean duration between the injury and surgery was 24.4 +/- 21.8 months. No intraoperative complications were noted. Successful epithelialization was achieved in all eyes. The reconstructed corneal surface remained stable during the entire follow-up period (mean follow-up, 16.57 +/- 5.12 months). All patients had resolution of ocular symptoms. Remarkable improvement in vision was noted in all (85.7%) except 1 eye in which recovery was limited due to amblyopia. The average best corrected visual acuity at last follow-up was 20/50. No complications were noted in the donor fellow eye. CONCLUSIONS: DALK combined with autologous limbal transplantation can restore a healthy, stable ocular surface, besides providing a clear cornea that remarkably improves the visual acuity, in patients with unilateral, late stage, severe chemical injury.     

人工角膜在治疗严重化学烧伤眼中的研究

目的探讨严重化学烧伤性角膜混浊患者行人工角膜植入术的临床效果和并发症等。方法选择2000年10月至2006年3月于解放军总医院眼科就治的28例因严重化学烧伤导致双眼盲目患者的单侧眼,术前视力14只眼为手动,14只眼为光感,并且角膜混浊病变无法采用常规角膜移植手术达到复明目的。其中严重碱烧伤20只眼,严重酸烧伤8只眼。人工角膜植入术分两期：Ⅰ期手术将人工角膜支架植入角膜层间,所选患眼行角膜表面或层间加固性手术。3个月后行Ⅱ期手术,植入带螺纹的人工角膜光学部。常规行晶状体、部分虹膜及前部玻璃体切除术,将外1／3上、下睑缘做永久性缝合。对完全睑球粘连者,用上、下睑皮肤覆盖角膜表面,仅暴露人工角膜光学部。结果Ⅱ期术后观察3—65个月,平均22．6个月,28只眼中有21只眼裸眼视力≥0．05（75％）,其中2只眼裸眼视力≥1．0。经镜片矫正后,11只眼（39％）视力为0．6—1．2;1只眼（4％）0．3～0．5;5只眼（18％）0．05—0．25;3只眼（11％）手动;3只眼（11％）光感;1只眼（4％）无光感。手术并发症包括分离角膜板层时穿人前房,晶状体皮质残留,继发性青光眼,镜柱前表面组织或上皮增生遮盖,镜柱后壁沉着物,角膜溶解,眼内炎,视网膜脱离。结论人工角膜是目前对严重角膜瘢痕、血管化的双眼化学烧伤患者有效的复明手段。该术式结合自体结膜遮盖、自体骨膜移植加固及睑裂部分缝合等,有利于人工角膜的长期存留。术后定期复查、积极预防并发症是保持视力的有效手段。     

Boston keratoprosthesis type 1 for limbal stem cell deficiency after severe chemical corneal injury: A systematic review

Purpose

To systematically review the published literature on outcomes of Boston keratoprosthesis type 1 for the treatment of limbal stem cell deficiency secondary to severe chemical corneal injury.

Aachen keratoprosthesis as temporary implant for combined vitreoretinal surgery and keratoplasty: report on 10 clinical applications

A new keratoprosthesis was used during pars plana vitrectomy in order to test the optical quality, watertightness, short-term biocompatibility and handling of the new device. The implantability was also tested, given that this keratoprosthesis might in future be left in place for several months. This Aachen keratoprosthesis (Aachen-KPro) is developed to be used as permanent implant to restore vision in corneal blind patients. PATIENT AND METHODS: The Aachen-KPro was used during pars plana vitrectomy in 10 patients with opaque corneas. In four cases, trauma precipitated the ocular disease. Eye burn was the cause of corneal and retinal disorders in another four cases. One patient had a history of congenital glaucoma with myopia, and one of uveitis with corneal dystrophy. After trephination of 6.5 mm in diameter, the Aachen-KPro, composed of soft silicone rubber, was temporarily placed in the trephination hole. After completion of the vitrectomy, the Aachen-KPro was replaced by a 7 mm corneal graft. RESULTS: Intraoperative use of the Aachen-KPro allowed uncomplicated intraoperative handling, smooth adaptation to the corneal rim in the trephination hole, and an undistorted view of the central and peripheral retina. Leakage, even during scleral depression, could be avoided by individual suturing of the scleral rim. After a follow-up period of 1-10 months, the retina was still attached in all cases. The corneal graft was clear after surgery in four eyes, and edema was found in three cases. Amnion or conjunctiva was placed over three patients' transplants. CONCLUSION: We report the first temporary implantations of a new keratoprosthesis in 10 patients. Its flexibility and good optical qualities allowed control of intraoperative procedures. The outcome and prognosis of the vitreoretinal surgery and keratoplasty were related to the primary diagnosis. The Aachen-KPro has shown advantages, especially in eyes where the anterior eye segment is severely damaged by eye burn or previous surgical interventions. In the future, prolonged use of the Aa-chen-KPro is planned for selected eyes.     

Penetrating keratoplasty combined with vitreoretinal surgery for severe ocular injury with blood-stained cornea and no light perception

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of treatment of severe ocular injury with blood-stained cornea and no light perception by combined penetrating keratoplasty and vitreoretinal surgery, and to analyze the relevant factors. METHODS: Records of 7 severely injured eyes of 7 patients with blood-stained cornea and no light perception who underwent penetrating keratoplasty combined with vitrectomy using a temporary keratoprosthesis were evaluated retrospectively. The preoperative visual acuity was no light perception in all injured eyes with a mean intraocular pressure of 3 mm Hg and a range from 2 to 5 mm Hg. The average interval from emergency wound closure to vitrectomy was 18 days with a range from 12 to 21 days. The mean follow-up was 28 months with a range from 26 to 30 months. RESULTS: The postoperative visual acuity was better than light perception in 5 eyes with the best corrected visual acuity from light perception to 0.06. The retina was attached in 5 eyes. The postoperative intraocular pressure ranged from 5 to 15 mm Hg with a mean of 12 mm Hg; it was significantly higher than the preoperative one (p < 0.05). The postoperative complications mainly included temporary intraocular elevation (1 eye), corneal neovascularization (4 eyes), corneal rejection (4 eyes), retinal detachment (2 eyes) and ocular atrophy (2 eyes). CONCLUSION: Penetrating keratoplasty combined with vitrectomy using a temporary keratoprosthesis is a safe and effective method in treating severe ocular injury with blood-stained cornea and no light perception.     

Limbal allografting from related live donors for corneal surface reconstruction

OBJECTIVE: To report the results of limbal allograft transplantation, from human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched and -unmatched related live donors, in patients with ocular surface disease due to chemical burns and Stevens-Johnson syndrome. DESIGN: Retrospective, noncomparative case series. PARTICIPANTS: Eight patients (nine eyes) with severe chemical burns (n = 7 eyes) and Stevens-Johnson syndrome (n = 2 eyes). INTERVENTION: Recipient eyes were treated with excision of cicatricial tissues. Transplantation of superior and inferior limbal grafts was performed from related live HLA-matched (n = 7) and -unmatched donors (n = 2). Systemic cyclosporine was not used in any of the recipients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Reconstruction of corneal surface epithelium, restoration of avascularity, increase in ocular comfort, and improvement in visual acuity. RESULTS: With a mean observation period of 17.2 months, phenotypically corneal epithelium, decreased vascularization of the corneal surface, and improved ocular comfort were seen in seven (77.8%) eyes. In all seven eyes, gradual recurrence of peripheral corneal vascularization occurred during the follow-up period. Features of graft rejection developed in three (42.9%) of these seven eyes. In two eyes, limbal transplantation from HLA-unmatched donors failed to reconstitute the corneal surface. Limbal allograft transplantation resulted in visual acuity of 20/400 or greater in only two (22.2%) eyes at last follow-up. Corneal grafts performed 7 and 16 months after successful limbal transplantation in two eyes developed recurrent epithelial breakdown and superficial corneal scarring. None of the donor eyes in this study had any complication. CONCLUSION: Transplantation of limbal tissue from related live donors successfully reconstructs the corneal surface in HLA-matched recipients. Recurrence of vascularization on long-term follow-up probably results from inadequate stem cell transfer, immune-mediated stem cell damage, or both. Limbal allografting is best performed by transplanting the entire limbus from a cadaveric donor eye with systemic immunosuppression of the recipient, even if the donor is HLA-compatible.