Abstract

Aims: To establish a keratoprosthesis (Kpro) surgical technique that maintains an intact superficial corneal layer.

Methods: A manual microkeratome (Moria LSK-1) was used to create a 130 μm flap of approximately 10 mm diameter in the right eye of Japanese white rabbits. The stoma beneath the flap area was dissected before the removal of a 5.0 mm stromal disc. A 5.0 mm collagen I immobilised poly(vinyl alcohol) (COL-PVA) disc was placed on the exposed posterior stroma close to Descemet’s membrane. The flap was repositioned and fixed using 10-0 nylon sutures, which were removed 2 days following surgery. The corneas were followed clinically by slit lamp microscopy and photographs. Rabbits were sacrificed after 6 months, and the transplanted corneas were examined histologically by haematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemistry against vimentin and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA).

Results: The transplanted COL-PVA discs remained transparent throughout the study, with no complications related to the flap or overlying epithelium. The interface between COL-PVA and Descemet’s membrane remained clear without signs of opacification caused by scarring or cellular deposition. Pathology revealed the intact COL-PVA polymer in the posterior stroma, with minimal cellular infiltration along the anterior and posterior interfaces. Immunohistology shows vimentin and α-SMA staining at levels comparable to lamellar keratoplasty control.

Conclusions: Microkeratome assisted deep lamellar keratoprosthesis may be a safe technique for the transplantation of artificial hydrogels for therapeutic purposes.