Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: INTACSTM are implants placed in the peripheral stroma to flatten the central cornea and are FDA approved to correct myopia. We reported the use of INTACSTM to treat patients with keratoconus, as an alternative to contact lenses or transplant surgery. Methods: Patients diagnosed with keratoconus by clinical exam, keratometry and topography, who had poor VA with spectacles and were contact lens intolerant, underwent INTACSTM placement (sizes 0.25, 0.30mm or 0.35mm). In eight eyes, complete preop and postop exams were performed and uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best spectacle corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), K readings, topography, asphericity(Q value) and predicted corneal acuity (PCA) were correlated. Results: Eyes with at least 3 month postop data available showed: UCVA improvement of 2-8 lines, BSCVA change of 0 to 8 lines improvement, no loss of BSCVA, no intra-operative adverse events, average K flattening of 0 to 6 D, average asphericity(Q value) change of -1.50 (increased prolate) and an average PCA of 20/40. Clinically all patients noted improved visual function. Conclusion: INTACSTMcan alter the corneal curvature in keratoconus and can be placed without complications. Improved clinical function and corneal measurements are noted, but the degree of change is not predictable. Further evaluation will be needed to determine which keratoconus eyes will respond best to INTACSTM placement.
Keywords: 450 keratoconus