Mechanical stability of microkeratome-assisted intracorneal keratoprosthesis implantation.
OBJECTIVE
To develop a laboratory model to study intracorneal keratoprosthesis implantation.


METHODS
A combination microkeratome and artificial anterior chamber system was used to create a hinged lamellar keratectomy on 13 human corneas. After reflecting the flap, the posterior stroma was trephined at either 2.5 or 3.0 mm. A model keratoprosthesis was positioned in the bed. The flap was sutured closed. Intrachamber pressure was increased, and wound leak pressure was recorded. The anterior corneal lamella was trephined at either 3.0 or 3.5 mm to expose the keratoprosthesis. Leak pressure was again determined.


RESULTS
After keratoprosthesis placement and prior to anterior trephination, all 13 corneas were watertight at maximum attainable intrachamber pressures. With posterior/anterior trephination combinations of 2.5/3.0 mm, 2.5/3.5 mm, or 3.0/3.5 mm, mean +/- SD wound leak pressure occurred at 95 +/- 12 mm Hg, 32 +/- 7 mm Hg, or 59 +/- 12 mm Hg, respectively (P<.01).


CONCLUSIONS
With a posterior trephination of 2.5 mm, there is significant keratoprosthesis-cornea interface destabilization between a 3.0- and 3.5-mm anterior trephination. For an anterior trephination of 3.5 mm, interface destabilization improves by increasing the posterior trephination to 3.0 mm.


CONCLUSIONS
An intracorneal keratoprosthesis may be implanted using microkeratome assistance. Our laboratory model provides a useful method for examining a range of posterior and anterior trephination diameters and their effects on the mechanical stability of intracorneal keratoprosthesis placement.
Erb
Melanie H
MH
Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, USA.
Taban
Mehran
M
Barsam
Charles A
CA
Sweet
Paula M
PM
Chuck
Roy S
RS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000867:Anterior Chamber / Q000502:physiology; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000601:surgery*; D005137:Eye, Artificial; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011102:Polyhydroxyethyl Methacrylate; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence / Q000503:physiopathology; D014945:Wound Healing
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011102:Polyhydroxyethyl Methacrylate