The landers trunkless temporary keratoprosthesis.

OBJECTIVE

To demonstrate the watertight seal created by the new wide-angle Landers trunkless temporary keratoprosthesis (T-TKP).

METHODS

In 20 enucleated, porcine eyes, a 7.5-mm trephination was made, followed by capsulorrhexis and lensectomy. The T-TKP was sutured securely onto each eye. Testing the watertight seal at an intraocular pressure of 100 mm Hg was performed before and after pars plana vitrectomy.

RESULTS

In all 20 eyes, the T-TKP maintained its watertight seal at an intraocular pressure of 100 mm Hg before and after vitrectomy.

CONCLUSION

The Landers T-TKP is a reusable device that provides a clear view and watertight eye in the presence of corneal trephinations up to 7.5 mm in diameter. Because of its unique trunkless design, as demonstrated in the laboratory, the T-TKP should allow the surgeon greater flexibility than previous models in cases of ocular trauma.