Hello,

PMMA monoblocs represent the first generation of KPro and are widely used in the clinic, but there are other viable options for corneal substitutes. The problem is that not all KPro options are available for clinical use in Brazil.

Substitute options for traditional PMMA monobloc involve PMMA modified or combined with other polymers, or then are made from other polymers.

1- There is a KPro made from chemically modified PMMA to facilitate or allow full cell adhesion.

2- There is also KPro which consists of the PMMA central optic surrounded by a skirt that comprises an annular wafer taken from an autologous tooth.

3- Another option of KPro is made of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (PHEMA).

4- PVS is also used for fabricating KPro.

5- There are also naturally occurring corneal replacements today, which are self-assembled in the laboratory, using supramolecular chemistry tools.

At the experimental level, tissue bioengineering is also providing seemingly encouraging and advantageous options to KPro currently used. In our laboratory, for example, we are developing and evaluating a corneal replacement made of insoluble collagen. There are also several ongoing studies involving the manufacture of corneal substitutes with adhesive peptides extracted from animal extracellular matrix.

There is a lot of research being done and there are several options available in the USA and Europe.