Novel materials to enhance corneal epithelial cell migration on keratoprosthesis

Purpose To introduce a new modification for silicone optical core Keratoprosthesis. Methods Using mixtures of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and acrylic acid polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) films were modified with two-step oxygen plasma treatment, and then type I collagen was immobilised onto this modified surfaces. Both the biocompatibility of the modified films and cell behaviour on the surface of these films were investigated by in vitro tests, and formation of epithelial cell layer was evaluated by implantation of the modified films in the corneas of 10 rabbits. Results In vitro studies indicated that the number of attached and proliferated cells onto modified PDMS in comparison with the unmodified PDMS significantly increased. Histological studies showed that corneal epithelial cells migrated on the anterior surface of the modified films after 1 week. The corneal epithelial cell formed an incomplete monolayer cellular sheet after 10 days. A complete epithelialisation on the modified surface was formed after 21 days. The epithelial layer persisted on the anterior surface of implant after 1-month and 3-month follow-up. Conclusion This method may have potential use in silicone optical core Keratoprosthesis.