Abstract
Purpose:
To establish a murine model for keratoprosthesis
Methods:
A miniature keratoprosthesis (m-KPro) device was created consisting of a poly[methyl methacrylate] front part and a titanium back plate, designed after the Boston KPro, which is in widespread clinical use. BALB/c mice were used and a 2 mm in diameter donor cornea was punched out. After 2 mm trepanation of the syngeneic recipient cornea, extra-capsular crystalline lens extraction was performed. The m-KPro was assembled onto the cornea button in a similar manner to human KPro implantation. The cornea - device complex was secured to the recipient bed with eight interrupted 11-0 sutures. All mice (n=10) were followed for 8 weeks postoperatively.
Results:
All m-KPro were successfully implanted and retained in all 10 animals. There were no critical complications such as endophthalmitis, corneal melting, device extrusions, leakage, extensive inflammation, or weight loss in the animals. There was mild to moderate donor and host corneal neovascularization in all cases throughout the follow-up period.
Conclusions:
We have established a novel murine model of KPro implantation which mirrors clinical KPro with high fidelity. This model will allow for future studies of immuno-pathological responses to KPro implantation.
Keywords: 575 keratoprostheses