CLINICAL-RESULTS OF IMPLANTATION OF THE CHIRILA KERATOPROSTHESIS IN RABBITS

Aims/background-An ideal keratoprosthesis (KPro) would closely resembl e a donor corneal button in terms of its surgical handling, optics, an d capacity to heal with host tissue in order to avoid many of the comp lications associated with the KPros which are currently in clinical us e, This steady was carried out to assess the long term clinical outcom es on implantation of the core and skirt poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacryl ate) KPro in animals. Methods-20 KPros were made and implanted as full thickness corneal replacements into rabbits and followed for up to 21 months to date. Results-80% of the prostheses ha-rie been retained, w ith a low incidence Of complications such as cataract, glaucoma, and r etroprosthetic membrane formation which are frequently associated with KPro surgery. Conclusions-KPros of this type may offer promise in the treatment of patients for whom penetrating keratoplasty with donor ma terial carries a poor prognosis. Refinement of the KPro and further an imal trials, including implantation into abnormal corneas, are however mandatory before human implantation; could be planned.