NANO-HYDROXYAPATITE/ POLYVINYL ALCOHOLCOMPOSITE FOR KERATOPROSTHESIS

The keratoprosthesis was designed , consisting of a transparent core polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogel with aporous peripheral skirt nano-hydroxyapatite/ polyvinyl alcohol ( n-HA/ PVA) hydrogel sponge. This keratoprosthesisshould improve biocompatibility with the host tissue and ability to interlock with the host cornea. The n-HA/ PVA composite has good homogeneity. Chemical bindings between n-HA and PVA were investigated by IR. The n-HA/ PVAsponges were porous with evenly distributed and interconnected pore structures observed by SEM. The attachment of theskirt to the core was achieved through an interpenetrating polymer network ( IPN) verified by light microscopy techniques. All of the implants have been retained , with no severe complications such as cataract and inflammation. Keratocytes migration into the skirt of the implants and deposition of complex extracellular matrix in the discs were found. Thiskind of keratoprosthesis is a biocompatible , suitable and promising material in its application to the clinic.