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Intracorneal ring segments may not halt progressive keratoconus in long term
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WARSAW, Poland — Implantation of intracorneal ring segments in young keratoconus patients may not be able to stop the progressive nature of the disease, even though it may provided a significant short-term improvement in visual, refractive and topographic status, according to one surgeon.
"Several studies have shown the efficacy of this procedure in improving [visual acuity] and flattening the central cornea. However, there is no scientific data to support that corneal ring segment implantation can halt the progressive nature of the disease," Alfredo Vega-Estrada, MD, said at the winter meeting of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons.
Alfredo Vega-Estrada
A 5-year retrospective, non-randomized analysis of 18 consecutive eyes of 15 patients implanted with intracorneal ring segments was conducted. Patients were between the ages of 19 and 30 years. All eyes were diagnosed with progressive keratoconus before surgery. Regular ophthalmic examinations were performed during the follow-up, including refractive status, corneal topography and aberrometry.
The ring segments provided a significant short-term improvement in visual, refractive and topographic parameters. Progressive worsening, however, was observed over the follow-up. At the last visit, patients had regressed to preoperative values.
"[Intracorneal ring segments] have been shown by other studies to be effective in maintaining a stable improvement in eyes where keratoconus is stable. However, our study shows that they may not have the ability to stop the natural course of progressive keratoconus," Vega-Estrada said.
Disclosure: Vega-Estrada has no relevant financial disclosures.