Keratoprosthesis: a 12-year follow-up. 1977

L J Girard, and R S Hawkins, and R Nieves, and T Borodofsky, and C Grant

A retrospective study of our total experience with implantation of four types of keratoprosthesis in 125 cases was reviewed. Diagnoses in the cases treated included chemical burns, derangement of the anterior segment from disease or injury, aphakic bullous keratopathy, ocular pemphigoid, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, anterior cleavage syndrome, Mooren ulcer, and blast injuries. The visual results in some cases have been gratifying and in others heartrending. Thirty percent of the patients attained 20/15 to 20/40 visual acuity, but at the end of 12 years, only 13% still had this visual acuity. Twenty-four percent attained 20/50 to 20/200 visual acuity, but this figure fell to 17% at the end of 12 years. Loss of initial good visual acuity was due to the numerous complications which required close observation and repeated surgery to control. The number of complications has been reduced by the use of a keratoprosthesis with a Dacron skirt and of the addition the Cardona nut and bolt to the shaft. The surgical technique has been improved by the use of a scleral expander, elimination of a scleral graft, and the use of the Tenon graft. The indications for the keratoprosthesis have changed over the years. Many alkali burns and practically all aphakic bullous keratopathy have been eliminated from the indications. Keratoprosthesis should be reserved for desperate cases. The technique of implantation is not complicated and initial results are usually good. The multiple complications, however, make it necessary for these cases to be followed by a surgeon who is familiar with the management of complications.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008722 Methods A series of steps taken in order to conduct research. Techniques,Methodological Studies,Methodological Study,Procedures,Studies, Methodological,Study, Methodological,Method,Procedure,Technique
D011182 Postoperative Care The period of care beginning when the patient is removed from surgery and aimed at meeting the patient's psychological and physical needs directly after surgery. (From Dictionary of Health Services Management, 2d ed) Care, Postoperative,Postoperative Procedures,Procedures, Postoperative,Postoperative Procedure,Procedure, Postoperative
D011183 Postoperative Complications Pathologic processes that affect patients after a surgical procedure. They may or may not be related to the disease for which the surgery was done, and they may or may not be direct results of the surgery. Complication, Postoperative,Complications, Postoperative,Postoperative Complication
D011474 Prosthesis Design The plan and delineation of prostheses in general or a specific prosthesis. Design, Prosthesis,Designs, Prosthesis,Prosthesis Designs
D001753 Blast Injuries Injuries resulting when a person is struck by particles impelled with violent force from an explosion. Blast causes pulmonary concussion and hemorrhage, laceration of other thoracic and abdominal viscera, ruptured ear drums, and minor effects in the central nervous system. (From Dorland, 27th ed) Injuries, Blast,Blast Injury,Injury, Blast
D002057 Burns, Chemical Burns caused by contact with or exposure to CAUSTICS or strong ACIDS. Chemical Burns,Burn, Chemical,Chemical Burn
D003315 Cornea The transparent anterior portion of the fibrous coat of the eye consisting of five layers: stratified squamous CORNEAL EPITHELIUM; BOWMAN MEMBRANE; CORNEAL STROMA; DESCEMET MEMBRANE; and mesenchymal CORNEAL ENDOTHELIUM. It serves as the first refracting medium of the eye. It is structurally continuous with the SCLERA, avascular, receiving its nourishment by permeation through spaces between the lamellae, and is innervated by the ophthalmic division of the TRIGEMINAL NERVE via the ciliary nerves and those of the surrounding conjunctiva which together form plexuses. (Cline et al., Dictionary of Visual Science, 4th ed) Corneas
D003316 Corneal Diseases Diseases of the cornea. Corneal Disease,Disease, Corneal,Diseases, Corneal
D003320 Corneal Ulcer Loss of epithelial tissue from the surface of the cornea due to progressive erosion and necrosis of the tissue; usually caused by bacterial, fungal, or viral infection. Keratitis, Ulcerative,Keratitides, Ulcerative,Ulcer, Corneal,Ulcerative Keratitides,Ulcerative Keratitis
D005126 Eye Burns Injury to any part of the eye by extreme heat, chemical agents, or ultraviolet radiation. Burn, Eye,Burns, Eye,Eye Burn

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