title: The Boston Type I keratoprosthesis: an assessment of its efficacy and safety.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the Boston Type I keratoprosthesis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve patients who underwent surgery with implantation of the Boston Type I keratoprosthesis were monitored. The following parameters were considered: diagnosis, comorbidity, previous surgery, preoperative and postoperative visual acuity, complications, and keratoprosthetic retention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The follow-up period ranged from 6 to 42 months (mean: 23 months). The mean number of previous keratoplasties was 2.0. The percentage of patients whose best-corrected visual acuity improved was 83.3%, and 16.7% maintained their previous vision. No patient had preoperative visual acuity better than 0.05. Patients with glaucoma comorbidity had the most limited final postoperative vision. Four eyes presented limited corneal melt. In another two eyes, corneal stromal bleeding led to a vitreous hemorrhage that was completely resolved after some weeks. No endophthalmitis or extrusion of the device occurred.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Boston Type I keratoprosthesis has a visual rehabilitation potential in cases of complicated corneal blindness, where the prognosis of a conventional keratoplasty is considered poor. Anatomical retention may be favorable in the medium term.
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Doctor Peset, Valencia, Spain. luverdejo@gmail.com
authors.forename: Lucía
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Verdejo-Gómez
authors.forename: Natalia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Peláez
authors.forename: Oscar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Gris
authors.forename: José Luis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Güell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001187:Artificial Organs / Q000592:standards; D003315:Cornea; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D016039:Corneal Transplantation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019736:Prostheses and Implants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000295:instrumentation; D014792:Visual Acuity
chemical_list: D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate