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Keratoprosthesis surgery is effective alternative to regrafting
SAN FRANCISCO — Permanent keratoprosthesis surgery can be an effective alternative to regrafting a patient with a failed penetrating keratoplasty, according to one surgeon experienced with the technique.
Sadeer B. Hannush, MD, presented results of a study conducted with the Boston Keratoprosthesis. Since January 2003, he said, 141 of these keratoprostheses have been implanted at 17 sites. He said an average of 2.24 prior corneal transplants had been performed in the eyes in which the Boston device was implanted. Preoperative visual acuity was 20/400 in these patients, Dr. Hannush said.
After a mean 33 months of follow-up, he said, visual acuity was 20/30, with 95% retention of the device.
Dr. Hannush said that, in the past, cost and complication rates had been disadvantages of the Boston Keratoprosthesis procedure.
“Many of these concerns have been successfully addressed,” he said, but long-term follow-up is still necessary.
Dr. Hannush said, however, that when a patient has no light perception and uncontrolled IOP, keratoprosthesis surgery is not advised.