Indications and contraindications of boston kpro types i and ii

Abstract

With advances in microsurgical techniques and postoperative management, standard keratoplasty and ocular surface reconstruction have become increasingly successful in the visual rehabilitation of patients with corneal blindness. However, there remains patients for whom such procedures carry a very poor prognosis. This includes patients with autoimmune and cicatricial diseases, limbal stem cell deficiency, or multiple failed grafts. The Boston Keratoprosthesis (KPro) is recognized as a viable alternative for such patients. Tremendous improvements in the visual outcomes, complication rates, and device retention rates have been achieved in the last decades. With continued innovation and the diligent involvement of multiple surgeons and researchers, the KPro is now recognized as a safe and reasonable approach in the management of a variety of causes of corneal blindness. This chapter focuses on the traditional indications for KPro as well as the promising new applications appearing in the recent literature.