Clinical application of keratoprosthesis for corneal opacity caused by chemical burn unsuitable for keratoplasty

Abstract

To evaluate the results of keratoprosthesis for eyes with complicated corneal opacities and unsuitable for keratoplasty due to the chemical burn. Twenty-eight keratoprosthesis were implanted in 28 patients with bilateral blindness. Preoperative visual acuity (VA) was light perception in all operated eyes. The corneal opacities were caused by severe alkali burn (20 eyes) and, sulfate acid injury (8 eyes). The keratoprosthesis (MICOF.) were made by Moscow Eye Microsurgery Complex in Russia. Russia1 surgical techniques consisted of two stages: first stage, inserting a supporting titanium frame into the lamellar pocket and then, implanting an optical part 3 months later. Follow-up time ranged from 3 to 65 months (22.6 months on average). In 21 of 28 eyes (75%), postoperative VA ranged from 0.05 to 1.0 without correction. Corrected postoperative VA was: 11 eyes (39%) with VA from 0.6 to 1.2; 1 eye (4 %) from 0.3 to 0.5; 5 eyes (18%) from 0.05 to 0.25; 3 eyes (11%) with VA hand movement; 3 eyes (11%) with VA light perception and 1 eye (4%) with VA no light perception. Keratoprosthesis improves vision of corneal opacity patients with complicated conditions result caused by chemical burn, such as dense neovascularization and severe ocular surface disorders.