Artificial cornea

Keratoprosthesis is a surgical procedure where a diseased cornea is replaced with an artificial cornea. Traditionally, keratoprosthesis is recommended after a person has had a failure of one or more donor corneal transplants. More recently, a less invasive, non-penetrating artificial cornea has been developed which can be used in more routine cases of corneal blindness. While conventional cornea transplant uses donor tissue for transplant, an artificial cornea is used in the Keratoprosthesis procedure. The surgery is performed to restore vision in patients suffering from severely damaged cornea due to congenital birth defects, infections, injuries and burns.Although many keratoprostheses have been developed, only four models are currently in commercial use: the Boston keratoprosthesis, Osteo-Odonto-Keratoprosthesis (OOKP), AlphaCor and the KeraKlear Artificial Cornea.Indications for penetrating keratoprotheses include the following:In most cases, the patient meets the ophthalmologist for eye examination and other tests weeks or months preceding surgery. During the meeting, the ophthalmologist will examine the eye and diagnose its condition. The doctor will also record the history of the patient’s health and other previous eye treatments, if any. The doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of the surgery. If the patient elects for the surgery, the doctor will have the patient sign an informed consent form. The doctor may also perform physical and lab examinations, such as an X-ray, an EKG, a slit lamp test, an ultrasound B-scan, or an A-scan.On the day of the procedure, the patient will arrive to the hospital or laser center where the surgery is to be performed. After a brief physical examination, he/she will be taken to the operating room. General anesthesia or local anesthesia is given before the surgery begins.Though the rate of success with Keratoprosthesis is high, in rare cases, certain serious complications could occur.The primary purpose of Keratoprosthesis is to improve vision in patients with complex ocular diseases who are at high risk for donor graft failure. After an impressive success record with Keratoprosthesis in adults, the procedure is used to treat young patients with severe ocular deformities.Keratoprosthesis is continuously evolving with newer generation materials that seek to improve treatment outcomes. However, the cost of surgery is on the expensive side and can typically run up to $35,000 in the US. In order to obtain surgical treatment at a lower cost, many patients choose to get the treatment done from popular medical tourism destinations like India and Singapore where the cost of treatment may be as little as one fourth the cost as in the US or UK.