Leading and managing a keratoprosthesis service

Abstract

AbstractKeratoprostheses are last resort procedures and are inherently unstable. A multidisciplinary team needs to be in place, available 24/7/365 through a coordinator, with the team led by the main keratoprosthesis surgeon. There should be a telephone number and email address which are manned day and night year round. Attention should be paid to colocation of subspecialty team members who will have different timetables. Vitreoretinal expertise, including endoscopic vitrectomy expertise, and operating theatre time should be instantly available for infection and macular on retinal detachments. The extended team may include eye surgeons (corneal, adnexal, glaucoma, vitreoretinal), maxilla‐facial surgeons, anaesthetists, radiologists, fellows, and a coordinator supported by named nurses in theatres, ward and outpatients. Attention should be paid to make keratoprosthesis services more robust by having more than one key person for key roles to cover leave and sickness and orderly succession planning.