New Dacron tissue colonisable keratoprosthesis: clinical experience.
BACKGROUND
Keratoprostheses (KPs) are made of an optical cylinder integrated with a supporting element which conditions their biocompatibility. A new KP with a Dacron tissue colonisable support has been designed in order to reduce significantly the complication rate.


METHODS
This new KP was implanted into 20 eyes of 20 patients with bilateral corneal blindness unsuited to a corneal implant. The follow up ranged from 24 to 96 months.


RESULTS
All 20 patients had some improved visual acuity with 13 retaining this improvement for more than 2 years.


CONCLUSIONS
These favourable results may be indicative of the reliability of the new KP.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001766:Blindness / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008875:Middle Aged; D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D014792:Visual Acuity
D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates