A keratoprosthesis prototype for the dog.

Objective: To describe the technique for implantation of a novel keratoprosthesis (KP) prototype and evaluate its application for the treatment of corneal blindness in dogs.

Animals Studied: Seven dogs, all of them being clinically blind before surgery as a result of severe corneal endothelial disease (5/7) or chronic superficial keratitis (2/7) that were unresponsive to prior therapy.

Procedures: A silicone KP was implanted unilaterally, just anterior to Descemet's membrane, after creating a stromal pocket by deep stromal lamellar dissection.

Results: Implantation of the KP was accomplished without complication in six of seven operated dogs. In the remaining case, an intra-operative complication (perforation of Descemet's membrane) was associated with extrusion of the KP 8 weeks postoperatively. All operated eyes regained limited vision after surgery. Three to six months after implantation purulent keratitis occurred in all five eyes with endothelial disease, necessitating surgical removal of the KP 6 months postoperatively in 5/7 eyes.

Conclusions: This KP prototype shows promise as a treatment for certain blinding corneal diseases. However, changes in the design of this KP, allowing improved stromal integration, will be necessary before its clinical application can be approved.