Permanent keratoprosthesis combined with pars plana vitrectomy and silicone oil injection for visual rehabilitation of chronic hypotony and corneal opacity

PURPOSE:: To present outcomes of combined pars plana vitrectomy, silicone oil (SO) injection, and permanent keratoprosthesis (Kpro) procedure in prephthisical eyes. METHODS:: All 3 patients were monocular with chronic severe hypotony, aphakia, and total corneal opacity in their vital eye. Preoperative visual acuity ranged from light perception to counting fingers at 1 foot. Two patients had a history of failed corneal grafts because of SO, and one had funnel retinal detachment. Pars plana vitrectomy and long-term SO tamponade were performed, and a permanent Boston type 1 Kpro was used in lieu of a donor corneal transplantation. RESULTS:: No unexpected intraoperative complications were encountered. Patients were followed for a period of 11-13 months. All patients had anatomic success with an attached retina and a clear visual axis. The procedures resulted in increased visual function in all patients ranging from hand motions to 20/800. No case has progressed to phthisis bulbi during the follow-up period. At the last visit, biomicroscopic examination revealed clear Kpro with an attached retina. CONCLUSIONS:: Boston type 1 Kpro implantation, as the primary corneal procedure with pars plana vitrectomy and intraocular SO, may be a viable option in selected patients with prephthisical eyes.