Short-term Outcomes of Modified Boston Type-II Keratoprosthesis Implantation with Autologous Auricular Cartilage Reinforcement: Outcomes of modified Boston Type-II Keratoprosthesis.

PURPOSE: To report the short-term visual outcomes and complications of a modified Boston Type-II keratoprosthesis (Kpro) procedure.

DESIGN: Retrospective case series.

METHODS: 37 eyes of 37 patients who had an implantation of autologous auricular cartilage reinforced (AACR)-Boston Type-II Kpro (BK2) were included in the current study. Preoperative and postoperative data were recorded and analyzed for each eye.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), symptoms as assessed by questionnaires, complications associated with implantation, and retention of the implanted BK2 device.

RESULTS: A total of 37 eyes, consisting of 19 with severe autoimmune dry eye (ADE) and 18 with burn injury, completed at least 12 months of follow-up. The median BCVA at baseline, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year and 2 years follow-up was HM (HM-HM), 20/60 (20/100-20/40), 20/60 (20/200-20/40), 20/60 (20/200-20/40), 20/100 (20/200-20/40), and 20/100 (20/400-20/40), respectively. All eyes retained the initial device (37/37, 100%). Common postoperative complications included retroprosthetic membrane (n = 21), de novo glaucoma (n = 7), endophthalmitis (n = 1), and conjunctival erosion (n = 4). No ear complications were discovered during follow-ups. The ocular surface disease index score improved from baseline to a 2-year follow-up (median 57.5 versus 21.43).

CONCLUSION: The modified AACR-BK2 procedure could be considered to restore vision in patients with end-stage corneal blindness.