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EndoArt: Multi center ongoing study of innovative artificial implant designed to treat corneal edema

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First Author: O.Daphna ISRAEL

Co Author(s):    A. Marcovich                    

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of an artificial implant EndoArt for the treatment of chronic corneal edema, secondary to endothelial failure. Replacing the posterior layer of the cornea have gained popularity during the last years with two main techniques: DSAEK and DMEK. In all cases tissue from a donor must be obtained. Tissues obtained from donors differ from each other in the quality and may be used during short limited period. EndoArt is a novel artificial implant, which may replace the donor tissue, hence enable much easier handling with long shelf life and good availability.

Setting:

Multi Center ongoing study

Methods:

Prospective, multicenter, open label study. A thin polymer membrane was implanted on the posterior cornea of patients suffering from chronic corneal edema and low visual potential. Slit lamp examination Visual Acuity and corneal thickness (OCT) measurements were performed

Results:

Ongoing, 7 patients were operated up to date, follow up between 2-8 month. The average corneal thickens pre-operation was 697µm (sd 147) the average post -operation was 572 µm (sd 81). All 7 patients underwent rebubble and reposition under local anesthesia. No major complications occurred during or after the surgeries, up to date the implant is well attached in all patient resulting in clear cornea and improvement in visual acuity, limited to other ocular comorbidity.

Conclusions:

EndoArt is showing initial promising results and may replace donor tissue in specific patients as easier safe and more available alternative implant.

Financial Disclosure:

... receives consulting fees, retainer, or contract payments from a competing company, ... research is funded, fully or partially, by a competing company