KeraKlear Artificial Cornea Implantation Assisted by Femtosecond Laser in Eyes With Aniridia.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of treating aniridia-associated keratopathy with a nonpenetrating artificial cornea in 2 patients with corneal blindness secondary to aniridia.

METHODS

This was a prospective, nonrandomized, interventional study of 2 consecutive patients with corneal blindness caused by aniridia. Ophthalmological examination was performed before the nonpenetrating keratoprosthesis surgery and then repeated 1, 7, 15, 30, 90, and 180 days and subsequently every 90 days thereafter. Optical coherence tomography was performed 90 days postsurgery to assess the position of the implant.

RESULTS

Visual acuity improved significantly after the KeraKlear surgery. Postoperative findings included periprosthetic corneal thinning, neovascularization, and retroprosthetic opacity.

CONCLUSIONS

KeraKlear nonpenetrating artificial corneas represent a promising alternative to keratolimbal allografts and Boston keratoprosthesis for the treatment of aniridia-associated keratopathy.