Asian experience with the Pintucci keratoprosthesis.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To report the outcome of a retrospective study of the Pintucci Biointegrable Keratoprosthesis (PBIKP) in Asian eyes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

This was a retrospective analysis of 31 eyes of 31 consecutive patients, who underwent surgery with implantation of the PBIKP. The age ranged from 7 years to 65 years, with a mean age of 34 years. The indications for the PBIKP were chemical burns (11 cases); highly vascularized failed grafts (11 cases); severe dry eyes with total vascularized cornea (6 cases); miscellaneous (3 cases). Twenty eight bilaterally blind Asian patients, with vision not exceeding hand motion close to face in the better eye, underwent the classical two-stage procedure to implant the PBIKP. In another three patients, the PBIKP was implanted as a one-stage procedure. All 31 eyes were unsuitable for keratoplasty or had repeated failed keratoplasties. All patients were followed up for periods ranging from 6 months to 7 years, with a mean of 3.2 years.

RESULTS:

No eye had infection or retro prosthetic membrane, which were common complications in other Keratoprostheses designs. Twenty-four of 31 eyes improved to greater than finger counting at 1.5 metres, enabling the patients to function independently. Four of 31 eyes (13%) improved to 20/200 or better. Twelve of 31 eyes had significant complications. However only a few were vision- threatening.

CONCLUSION:

With careful patient selection, the PBIKP could prove to be a useful modality of treatment for bilaterally corneally blind Asian patients, whose vision cannot be improved with conventional medical or surgical treatments.

• Authors: Quresh B Maskati, B T Maskati
• Journal: Indian journal of ophthalmology (Indian J Ophthalmol) Vol. 54 Issue 2 Pg. 89-94 (Jun 2006) ISSN: 0301-4738 [Print] India
• PMID: 16770024 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Topics

• Absorbable Implants
• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Burns, Chemical (surgery)
• Child
• Corneal Transplantation
• Eye Burns (chemically induced, surgery)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• India
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Prosthesis Design
• Prosthesis Implantation (instrumentation)
• Retrospective Studies
• Treatment Outcome