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Br J Ophthalmol 2004;88:1585-1589 doi:10.1136/bjo.2004.046375
  • Clinical science
    • Extended reports

Five year follow up of biocolonisable microporous fluorocarbon haptic (BIOKOP) keratoprosthesis implantation in patients with high risk of corneal graft failure

  1. J L Alió1,
  2. M E Mulet1,2,
  3. H Haroun3,
  4. J Merayo4,
  5. J M Ruiz Moreno1
  1. 1Department of Ophthalmology, Miguel Hernández University, Alicante, Spain
  2. 2Instituto Oftalmologico de Alicante, Department of Research and Development, Alicante, Spain
  3. 3Instituto Oftalmologico de Alicante, Spain
  4. 4Instituto de Oftalmobiologia Aplicada (IOBA), Valladolid University, Spain
  1. Correspondence to: Professor Dr Jorge L Alió Vissum/Instituto Oftalmológico de Alicante, Avda de Denia s/n, Edificio Vissum, 03016 Alicante, Spain; jlaliooftalio.com
  • Accepted 2 June 2004

Abstract

Aim: To study the anatomical and visual performance following implantation of a model of artificial cornea and to evaluate the postoperative long term complications.

Methods: 11 eyes of 11 patients with bilateral corneal blindness considered as potentially having high risk of failure of penetrating corneal keratoplasty were implanted with biocolonisable Kpro keratoprosthesis (BIOKOP I, FCI, Rantigny, France) in the period between January 1996 and May 1998. Only one eye was implanted in all patients and followed up for a period of 60 months. The visual outcome, anatomical and functional stability, complications, and the general performance of the keratoprosthesis were evaluated.

Results: The keratoprosthesis (BIOKOP I) only 36.3% remained in position to date. In the patients’ last visit five eyes (45.4%) were blind and one (9.0%) showed a slight improvement in the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in comparison to preoperative tests. Six eyes (54.5%) showed improved BCVA before having postoperative complications. Four eyes underwent replacement of a BIOKOP I Kpro with a BIOKOP II as a result of extrusion. The keratoprostheses remained anatomically in situ for a mean of 25.5 months and their functional performance period was limited to a mean of 22 months.

Conclusion: Corneal keratoprosthesis (BIOKOP I, II) does not provide a stable anatomical relation with the surrounding ocular structures. Its ability to restore vision is limited to a short postoperative period in eyes implanted with severe ocular surface disease.

Footnotes

  • This study has been financed in part by a grant of the Spanish Ministry of Health, Instituto Carlos III, Red Tematica de Investigation Cooperativa en Oftalmologia, Subproyecto de Cirugía Refractiva, Calidad de Visión C03/13.

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