KERATOPROSTHESIS - PRELIMINARY-RESULTS OF AN ARTIFICIAL CORNEAL BUTTON AS A FULL-THICKNESS IMPLANT IN THE RABBIT MODEL

Purpose: To develop a prototype artificial cornea and evaluate it in t he rabbit model. Methods: Hydrogel core-and-skirt keratoprostheses wer e made and were inserted as full-thickness implants covered with conju nctival flaps in the right eyes of eight rabbits. Results: Peroperativ e complications related to inadequate mechanical strength led to failu re in the early postoperative period in three animals, one was euthana sed for an unrelated reason and the remaining four have been successfu l for up to 16 weeks' follow-up. Conclusions: Full-thickness implantat ion of an artificial cornea, analogous to penetrating keratoplasty, ha s been achieved in the rabbit model. Histological findings confirm tha t integration of the prosthesis with host tissue occurs. The main comp lications encountered in this preliminary series were related to inade quate strength of the sponge skirt of this prototype device. Work in o ur laboratories is now concentrated upon improving the mechanical qual ities of the hydrogel skirt and on the enhancement of biointegration.