Cataract surgery with the AlphaCor artificial cornea.
OBJECTIVE
To review the outcomes of AlphaCor artificial cornea (Argus Biomedical Pty Ltd.) implantation concurrent with or subsequent to cataract surgery.


METHODS
Nonrandomized multicenter clinical trial.


METHODS
AlphaCor devices were implanted under an approved protocol. Extracapsular cataract extraction with intraocular lens implantation was concurrently performed in 5 cases; an additional case had a displaced cataractous lens removed after severe blunt trauma subsequent to AlphaCor implantation.


RESULTS
Cataract surgery was difficult because the view was restricted and residual soft lens matter was retained. There was an increased incidence of postoperative complications (eg, melt, glaucoma) in cataract cases compared with noncataract AlphaCor cases. The mean best corrected visual acuity was worse in cases with cataract than in cases without.


CONCLUSIONS
The technique for cataract surgery in AlphaCor cases needs to be refined. Imaging studies performed postoperatively may help ascertain whether soft lens matter remains so additional antiinflammatory medication can be considered. Melting appears to be preventable by topical medroxyprogesterone 1% therapy.
Eguchi
Hiroshi
H
Lions Eye Institute and Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Western Australia, Nedlands 6009, WA, Australia.
Hicks
Celia R
CR
Crawford
Geoffrey J
GJ
Tan
Donald T
DT
Sutton
Gerard R
GR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001187:Artificial Organs; D002387:Cataract Extraction / Q000379:methods*; D003315:Cornea; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D014792:Visual Acuity