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Boston Type 1 Keratoprosthesis: Updated Perspectives
Authors Nonpassopon M, Niparugs M, Cortina MS
Received 26 January 2020
Accepted for publication 1 April 2020
Published 29 April 2020 Volume 2020:14 Pages 1189—1200
DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/OPTH.S219270
Checked for plagiarism Yes
Review by Single-blind
Peer reviewer comments 2
Editor who approved publication: Dr Scott Fraser
Manachai Nonpassopon,1,2 Muanploy Niparugs,2,3 Maria Soledad Cortina2
1Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; 2Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA; 3Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Chaing Mai University, Chaing Mai, Thailand
Correspondence: Maria Soledad Cortina
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1855 W. Taylor Street, M/C 648, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
Tel +1 312 996-6590
Email mcortina@uic.edu
Abstract: The use of Boston type 1 keratoprosthesis (BKPro) has significantly increased worldwide. It is no longer considered a procedure of last resort but a reasonable option for patients with otherwise poor prognosis for a traditional penetrating keratoplasty. BKPro was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1992 for bilateral severe corneal blindness due to multiple corneal transplant failure. Over the years, indications have extended beyond recurrent immunologic rejection to include other conditions such as chemical injury and other causes of bilateral limbal stem cell deficiency, extensive corneal neovascularization, neurotrophic corneas and hypotony, among others. Numerous advances in the design of the BKPro, improvement of preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative management have resulted in favorable outcomes and a reduction in postoperative complications. Accordingly, many studies have shown that implantation of this device is highly effective in restoring vision with very good short-term outcomes. However, due to the lifetime risk of sight-threatening complications after BKPro implantation, a longer follow-up period should provide outcomes that are more realistic. In this review, the authors examined only the results of publications with an average of at least 2 years of follow-up. The overall intermediate to long-term visual outcomes and retention rate in BKPro seem to be favorable. However, autoimmune diseases and cicatrizing conditions continue to show a higher incidence of postoperative complications that require further management.
Keywords: Boston keratoprosthesis, corneal transplantation, limbal stem cell deficiency
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