Boston keratoprosthesis for ocular chemical injury: one-year clinical outcome

Abstract

Allograft corneal transplantation often fails in repeated corneal graft failure, chemical burns, herpes simplex virus infection, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Patients with such diseases may require alternatives such as use of keratoprosthesis. We report on a patient with alkaline chemical injury of both eyes who failed to respond to previous surgical treatment. A Boston keratoprosthesis was implanted in his right eye. The operation was completed uneventfully and he enjoyed good visual recovery with no postoperative complications. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of Boston keratoprosthesis implantation in Hong Kong. The patient’s visual acuity improved from seeing hand movements before the operation to 6/15 which was maintained at 1 year after the operation. Not all patients are able to benefit from conventional corneal transplantation. The Boston keratoprosthesis may offer a valuable alternative in selected patients.