Histological Changes of Rabbit Cornea Implanted with Seoul Type Keratoprosthesis

ABSTRACT

Keratoprosthesis implantation is the only alternative method to restore vision in patients who might invariably fail allograft coneal transplantation. Seoul type keratoprosthesis adapted 20 micrometer pore sized expanded polytetrafluoroethyl-ene[PTFE, Gore-Tex]as a skirt material in this study. To evaluate compatibility of this material as a skirt we performed in vitro cell culture experiment and animal experiment. For in vitro experiment, expanded PTFE membrane was cultured with rabbit keratocytes in 24-well culture plate for a week.For animal experiment Seoul type keratoprosthesis was implanted in the rabbit cornea. Two months after the operation specimens for pathologic examination were retrieved. In culture experiment no keratocyte invaded pores. In animal experiment no keratocyte but only many inflammatory cells mainly polymorphonuclear leukocytes infiltrated pores of skirt and surrounding cornea. In conclusion, 20 micrometer pore sized expanded PTFE is not good as a skirt material of keratoprosthesis.