Management of corneal melt in patients with Boston Keratoprosthesis Type 1: Repair versus repeat

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate outcomes of Boston keratoprosthesis (KPro) repair versus repeat KPro as treatment for corneal melt in KPro patients.

Methods: Retrospective study of adult KPro patients with melt managed by KPro repair or repeat KPro by one surgeon (MH-D). Incidence of sight- or globe-threatening complications, risk of recurrence of melt and change in BCVA before and 3 months after the procedure were compared between both treatment groups. Change from pre-melt BCVA to final BCVA was compared between primary versus secondary repeat KPro after repair attempt.

Results: This study included 19 eyes of 19 patients with melt and mean follow-up of 8.7 years. Primary repeat KPro was performed in 6 eyes (32%) and KPro repair in 13 eyes (68%). There were no significant differences in gender, age, or incidence of complications after KPro repair versus after repeat KPro (92% and 83% complication rate respectively, p > 0.05). The odds ratio for melt recurrence after KPro repair versus repeat KPro was 24 (95% CI 1.68-340). Change in BCVA was not significantly different in KPro repair versus repeat KPro nor in primary versus secondary repeat KPro (p > 0.05).

Conclusions: Repeat KPro offers a lower risk of recurrence of melt compared to KPro repair. However, repair may be considered when timely access to a new KPro and corneal graft is not possible. Delaying repeat KPro does not significantly affect final BCVA. Finally, repeat KPro is the only effective treatment when melt has led to extrusion or uncontrollable infection.

Keywords: Cornea; Corneal melt; Keratoprosthesis.