Posters

Corneal transplantation following KeraKlear keratoprosthesis: a new chance for a successful penetrating keratoplasty in severely diseased corneas

Poster Details

First Author: O.Al-Shymali SPAIN

Co Author(s):    J. Alio                    

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To report the successful outcome of penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) following KeraKlear keratoprosthesis (Kpro) implanted in severely diseased corneas.

Setting:

Vissum, Ophthalmology Institute of Alicante, Alicante, Spain. Division of Ophthalmology, Miguel Hernández University, Alicante, Spain

Methods:

Four severely diseased corneas with intensive neovascularization, both superficial and deep, also associated to ocular surface problems and in some cases melting, underwent a Femtosecond assisted epidescemetical implantation of KeraKlear Kpro as a temporary solution. Later, this was followed by KeraKlear explantation and PKP once that the clinical appearance of the eye had improved.

Results:

Four diseased corneas were implanted with KeraKlear Kpro. Subsequently, patients partially restored vision allowing the improvement of corneal comorbidities and decreasing the amount of neovascularization. However, after the explantation of the Kpro, further improvement happened allowing the successful indication of PKP afterwards, with good outcome. The mean BCVA improved from perception of light to 20/400 before the Kpro implantation, to 20/740 with the Kpro and afterwards to 20/130 after Kpro explantation and PKP. The mean time between the implantation and explantation of the Kpro was 2.2 years (SD=1.3). All cases remained stabled with no evidence of corneal complications.

Conclusions:

The KeraKlear Kpro can be used as a temporal device in severely diseased corneas in order to quite the clinical condition. The subsequent explantation of the Kpro allows further recovery and improvement of the condition that permits the practice of PKP as a final successful solution.

Financial Disclosure:

None