[The Boston keratoprosthesis in the management of corneal blindness: Indications and limitations].

INTRODUCTION: Keratoprostheses offer a therapeutic alternative to patients with bilateral corneal blindness who cannot undergo corneal allograft. The goal of this work was to evaluate the indications and limitations of Boston keratoprosthesis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven patients underwent unilateral implantation of a Boston type I keratoprosthesis between December 2012 and November 2016. The following data were collected: surgical indication, preoperative visual acuity, postoperative visual acuity at D1, D7, D30, 6 months and 12 months, complications and postoperative treatment.

RESULTS: The mean age of implantation was 58.7±23.4 years. The surgical indications included 1 case of congenital bilateral aniridia, 2 cases of chemical burn and 4 graft decompensations after multiple keratoplasties. Preoperative visual acuity was limited to "light perception" in 6 cases and "hand motion" in one case. A gain in visual acuity was observed in 4 patients, which corresponded to a mean gain of 1.53 logMAR at last follow-up. Postoperative visual acuity averaged 2.33 logMAR. All patients experienced an improvement in their quality of life and independence.

DISCUSSION: Patients should be selected carefully, favoring patients with a remaining functional potential and able to engage in close postoperative follow-up, in order to ensure the best possible treatment success.

CONCLUSION: Boston keratoprosthesis provides improved vision and improved quality of life for patients suffering from bilateral corneal blindness.