Ferrara intrastromal corneal rings reduced corneal steepening and normalized the central cornea in eyes with keratoconus. Ferrara ring implantation was a safe procedure that may be considered in patients who are unable to have other surgical techniques, particularly contact-lens-intolerant keratoconus patients whose only option is corneal transplantation.
Five years after ICRS implantation, the UDVA and CDVA were improved in eyes with keratoconus. There was significant postoperative corneal flattening that remained stable over the follow-up period.
Ferrara intrastromal corneal ring segments implantation is safe and effective and has a low complication rate. It can effectively reduce the corneal steepening and improve uncorrected visual acuity and best-corrected visual acuity in patients with keratoconus.
Background. To evaluate the change in corneal astigmatism after intrastromal corneal ring segment (ICRS) implantation in keratoconus patients with previous deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK). Design was a longitudinal, retrospective, interventional study. The study included 25 eyes of 24 patients with keratoconus who had DALK performed at least two years prior to ICRS implantation. All patients had a clear corneal graft with up to 8.00 D of corneal astigmatism and intolerance to contact lenses. The studied parameters were age, sex, corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), maximum keratometry (K1), minimum keratometry (K2), spherical equivalent, and astigmatism. There was a statistically significant decrease in the postintervention analysis as follows: 3.5 D reduction in K1 (p < 0.001); 1.53 D in K2 (p = 0.005); and 2.52 D (p < 0.001) in the average K. The spherical equivalent reduced from −3.67 D (±2.74) to −0.71 D (±2.35) (p < 0.001). The topographic astigmatism reduced from 3.87 D preoperatively to 1.90 D postoperatively (p < 0.001). The CDVA improved from 0.33 (±0.10) to 0.20 (±0.09, p < 0.001). ICRS implantation is a useful option for the correction of astigmatism after DALK as it yields significant visual, topographic, and refractive results.
A new ICRS with 210 degrees of arc was effective in treating keratoconus. It improved visual acuity and reduced corneal steepening in selected patients.
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