Outcomes After Auro Keratoprosthesis Implantation: A Low-Cost Design Based on the Boston Keratoprosthesis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate outcomes after Auro keratoprosthesis (kpro) implantation.

METHODS: Retrospective observational case series. The records of all patients who were implanted with Auro kpro from December 2012 to August 2015 at a single institute were retrospectively analyzed to evaluate preoperative characteristics, postoperative outcomes, and complications.

RESULTS: Fifteen cases were included in the study. Failed graft was the most common indication for the surgery (n = 14; 93.3%). The mean BCVA (Log MAR) improved from 2.20 ± 0.43 in the preoperative period to 1.46 ± 1.12 (P = 0.0247) at the mean final follow-up of 13.5 months. The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improved to 20/200 or better in 9 patients (60%) at the final follow-up. Postoperative complications included retroprosthetic membrane formation (n = 7; 46.7 %), graft infection (n = 4; 26.7%), sterile corneal melt (n = 3; 20%), and spontaneous optic extrusion (n = 1; 6.7%). Eleven patients retained prosthesis at the final follow-up (retention rate = 73.3%).

CONCLUSIONS: Auro kpro seems to be effective in treating end-stage corneal diseases. The outcomes are comparable to Boston kpro in terms of visual acuity, postoperative complications, and retention rates.