Cruzat, AndreaTauber, AllysonShukla, AnitaPaschalis, Eleftherios I.Pineda, RobertoDohlman, Claes2014-03-112013Cruzat, Andrea, Allyson Tauber, Anita Shukla, Eleftherios I. Paschalis, Roberto Pineda, and Claes H. Dohlman. 2013. “Low-Cost and Readily Available Tissue Carriers for the Boston Keratoprosthesis: A Review of Possibilities.” Journal of Ophthalmology 2013 (1): 686587. doi:10.1155/2013/686587. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/686587.2090-004Xhttp://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:11879350The Boston keratoprosthesis (B-KPro), currently the most commonly used artificial cornea worldwide, can provide rapid visual rehabilitation for eyes with severe corneal opacities not suitable for standard corneal transplantation. However, the B-KPro presently needs a corneal graft as a tissue carrier. Although corneal allograft tissue is readily available in the United States and other developed countries with established eye banks, the worldwide need vastly exceeds supply. Therefore, a simple, safe, and inexpensive alternative to corneal allografts is desirable for the developing world. We are currently exploring reasonable alternative options such as corneal autografts, xenografts, noncorneal autologous tissues, and laboratory-made tissue constructs, as well as modifications to corneal allografts, such as deep-freezing, glycerol-dehydration, gamma irradiation, and cross-linking. These alternative tissue carriers for the B-KPro are discussed with special regard to safety, practicality, and cost for the developing world.en-USJournal Article2014-03-1110.1155/2013/686587