Keratoprosthesis

摘要

A composite device which may be implanted in the cornea of the human eye to replace damaged or diseased portions, and a method of manufacturing the said device, are disclosed. The device consists of a transparent central portion intimately attached to an opaque spongy rim. Both portions are made of hydrogel materials produced in different conditions of polymerization during a two-stage process performed in a specific moulding unit. The spongy rim promotes and maintains cellular invasion from the host corneal tissue, thus providing a tight union between implant and recipient cornea which prevents the postoperative extrusion of the implant.