ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To describe the use of a Boston type I keratoprosthesis as a secondary penetrating procedure to treat gelatinous drop-like corneal dystrophy (GDLD), with presentation of pathologic findings, genetic analysis, and discussion of other surgical options. METHODS: A 43-year-old woman with GDLD in both eyes, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of counting fingers in both eyes, and recurrent corneal opacification following two penetrating keratoplasties presented for visual rehabilitation. A Boston type I keratoprosthesis was implanted in her left eye after extracapsular clear lens extraction. RESULTS: The surgery was uneventful and one month after surgery, best corrected vision improved to 20/30, which has been maintained for a period of more than nine months. At the 12-month visit, her vision was noted to be diminished to 20/200 due to a retroprosthetic membrane and improved to 20/25 two weeks after a Yag capsulotomy. Histopathologic examination of the corneal specimen disclosed predominantly subepithelial amyloid deposition. Genetic analysis is presented. CONCLUSIONS: GDLD is a rare disorder of primary corneal amyloidosis. Recurrence of this condition following surgery is very common. Boston type I keratoprosthesis as a secondary procedure can be successful in restoring vision in affected patients.