PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe the long-term results of AlphaCor implantations, and to evaluate the main complications and risk factors. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of preoperative and follow-up data from 15 AlphaCor implantations. Analysis of outcomes, trends, and associations was performed and compared with data from published clinical trials and a literature review. RESULTS: The survival rate of the device at 1, 2, and 3 years was 87%, 58%, and 42%, respectively. Postoperative visual acuity ranged from hand movement to 0.8. The most significant complications were stromal melt (nine cases), optic deposition (three eyes), and retroprosthetic membrane formation (three eyes). The most common device-unrelated complication was trauma (three patients). All complications were managed without loss of the eye. CONCLUSION: AlphaCor provides a treatment option for patients with corneal blindness in which a donor tissue graft would not succeed.

Department of Ophthalmology University Hospital Hradec Králové Czech Republic

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