Synthetic eye prosthesis

Purpose Development of synthetic eye prosthesis to provide a long term stable keratoprostesis Methods Synthetic hydrophobic and hydrophilic biomaterials were selectively modified by physical and chemical nanotechnological methods. The modified biomaterials were tested in cell culture experiments (fibroblasts L929 and primary epithelial cells, porcine) and implanted into rabbits eyes. The hydrophobic material was implanted finally into eyes of ultima ratio patients. Results After very successful in vitro evaluation, keratoprostheses were implanted to rabbit eyes (New Zealand white rabbit) and showed excellent in vivo performance in the animal experiment.As for the hydrophibic material, no adverse reaction was observed after follow up of 2.5 years in human eyes. Conclusion We could develop a new keratoprosthesis which is well tolerated in human eye.