Abstract
Purpose:
To report the visual, keratometric and safety outcomes of intrastromal corneal rings segments placed in patients diagnosed with keratoconus.
Methods:
An observational, retrospective, longitudinal, uncontrolled study was conducted. Patients diagnosed with keratoconus that were treated with intrastromal rings between 2010 and 2012 with a minimum of 1 year follow up were included in the study. Uncorrected visual acuity, best corrected visual acuity, spherical equivalent, keratometry, pachymetry, degree of incision, depth of the segments, follow up and complications were assessed.
Results:
A total of 197 eyes were included in the study with an average follow up of 23.82 ± 14.07 months. Overall, the uncorrected visual acuity and the best corrected visual acuity improved by 0.36 logMAR ± 0.47 (p= <0.001) and 0.16 logMAR ± 0.28 (p= <0.001) respectively. The spherical equivalent also improved with a mean of -2.03 ± 0.63 D (p= <0.001). Mean keratometric values decreased by 2.66 ± 3.62 D (p= <0.001). A total of 8 (4.06%) patients had surgical complications. The most common complication was extrusion of the segment.
Conclusions:
Instraestromal corneal ring segments appear to improve visual acuity and corneal topography.
Keywords: 480 cornea: basic science