Cutting Edge: Corneal Stromal Lenticule Implantation (Corneal Stromal Augmentation) for Ectatic Disorders

Abstract

The ectatic disease of the cornea poses a significant challenge for ophthalmologists because commonly used treatments to improve visual acuity, such as spectacles and contact lenses, may not be effective, especially in advanced stages. In addition, the preferred surgical management, corneal transplantation, has various issues related to tissue availability, the steep learning curve, and postoperative complications such as tissue stability and half-life. Ongoing research for an alternative to keratoplasty has suggested various methods, such as corneal crosslinking, which can improve visual function when combined with other techniques. Early reports have become available on the feasibility and safety of different strategies for corneal stromal augmentation, both with and without corneal crosslinking, and their favorable clinical outcomes, including visual and keratometry improvements. Here, we explore the cutting-edge advancements in stromal lenticule implantation, encompassing different facets of the procedure.

Biomechanical changes in keratoconus after customized stromal augmentation

“…The SMILE’s lenticule implantation new treatment modality is changing the way we deal with patients with an irregular thin cornea. [ 17 ] For better evaluation of the implanted lenticules reported in our previous study,[ 18 ] we report biomechanical factors for over 2 years of follow-up as our primary objective in the current study.…”