Keratoprosthesis

Keratoprosthesis is a surgical operation to restore vision in cases of severe damage to the cornea. The essence of the operation is the implantation of an artificial cornea (keratoprosthesis) in place of the patient’s own damaged cornea.

Keratoprosthesis is indicated for conditions such as thermal and chemical burns of the cornea, keratitis, and terminal stage keratoconus. The operation is performed under general anesthesia and takes 1-2 hours. The surgeon makes a through incision in the cornea and implants a keratoprosthesis, the intraocular part of which is fixed in the iris or sclera. The outer part protrudes through the cornea to the outside.

After keratoprosthesis, long-term rehabilitation and eye care are required. The main risks are rejection of the prosthesis, inflammation, increased intraocular pressure. With adequate care, an artificial cornea can last for many years, restoring vision.

Keratoprotection of the eye

Keratoprotective agents for the eyes are drugs that protect the cornea from damage by various irritating factors that can cause the so-called dry eye syndrome. These can be medications (often antibiotics), allergens (food and medication), bright light, low temperature and others.

The basis for the use of keratoprotector is etiopathogenetic therapy of pathology. Therefore, treatment with a keratoprotector is selected individually for each specific patient. There cannot be any general recommendations, therefore, an ophthalmologist should prescribe a drug for use in a specific clinical situation after a thorough examination of the patient’s eye and assessment of medical history. It would also be a good idea to consult a medicinal doctor who, taking into account all possible contraindications and undesirable effects, will be able to choose the right drug for each patient individually. Over-the-counter prescription of any herbal preparations is highly undesirable due to the significant number of patients who are allergic to them, in whom self-medication can lead to tragic consequences.

In addition, it is important to remember that self-medication of some diseases without a preliminary examination by a doctor is dangerous to health, since the diagnosis may be made inaccurately or, in general, erroneously.