Natalie Afshari, MD

The following information is to provide patients with information about the keratoprosthesis.

1. What is the cornea?

The cornea is the clear window in front of the eye. In patients with corneal disease, a corneal transplant may be performed to replace the cornea with tissue from a human donor.

2. What is a keratoprosthesis?

A keratoprosthesis is a device made of a clear plastic material designed to replace scarred or diseased corneas with. The prosthesis serves as an artificial corneal transplant, providing a clear window in the opacified cornea. It is intended to restore vision to patients with severe corneal disease for which a corneal transplant is not an option.

3. Who is qualified to receive a keratoprosthesis?

Patients who have had multiple corneal transplantations that have failed and have little or no sight may be candidates for this type of surgery.

4. Who does not qualify?

Patients with certain ocular conditions such as end stage retinal disease or glaucoma may not qualify. Your ophthalmologist will be able to determine if you are a candidate and refer you for an evaluation.

5. What is the success rate of this procedure and what is considered a success?

The visual potential depends upon the health of all parts of the eye. If a patient also has glaucoma or retinal problems, his or her vision would still be limited, even if the keratoprosthesis worked perfectly. Patients with this new device may have outcomes varying from a slight improvement in vision to regaining the ability to read.

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