ABSTRACT
Keratoprostheses (KP) are made of an optical cylinder integrated with a supporting element which governs their biocompatibility. The Pintucci KP with a Dacron tissue three-dimensionally colonizable support was designed in 1979 and has since been improved in order to reduce the complications associated with the use of KP. The biological background (in vivo and in vitro), electron microscopy observations and the surgical technique will be discussed. Sixty-three patients were operated from 1979 with different surgical techniques and Dacron tissues. Twenty transoral mucous KP were implanted with our most recent technique in severely vascularized corneas from 1985 to 1991, with a follow-up ranging from 48 to 85 months. The favorable results may be indicative of their better reliability.
Subject(s)
Cornea/surgery , Corneal Diseases/surgery , Polyethylene Terephthalates , Prostheses and Implants/standards , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Biocompatible Materials , Corneal Diseases/pathology , Corneal Diseases/physiopathology , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Postoperative Complications , Retrospective Studies , Treatment Outcome , Visual AcuityABSTRACT
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. CONCLUSION: These favourable results may be indicative of the reliability of the new KP.
Subject(s)
Blindness/surgery , Corneal Diseases/surgery , Polyethylene Terephthalates/therapeutic use , Prostheses and Implants , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Blindness/physiopathology , Corneal Diseases/physiopathology , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Male , Microscopy, Electron, Scanning , Middle Aged , Visual AcuitySubject(s)
Corneal Diseases/surgery , Dry Eye Syndromes/complications , Prostheses and Implants , Adult , Aged , Corneal Diseases/etiology , Female , Humans , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
A new cannula for use during vitreotomy is proposed with the object of improving extracapsular cataract extraction techniques. The cannula offers the advantages of allowing infusion through the aspiration opening to produce an immediate deep anterior chamber, of easy cleaning of the opening without the need for removal from the anterior chamber, and of the possibility of removing small remnants of the anterior lens capsule.
