Intrastromal corneal ring segment implantation for ectasia after refractive surgery

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of implantation of Ferrara intrastromal corneal ring segments (ICRS) in patients with corneal ectasia after refractive surgery. SETTING: Private clinic, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. METHODS: Charts of patients with corneal ectasia after refractive surgery were retrospectively reviewed. The following parameters were studied: uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), keratometry, corneal asphericity, and pachymetry. All patients were evaluated by Scheimpflug scanning-slit tomography (Pentacam). RESULTS: Twenty-five eyes (20 patients) with corneal ectasia (20 after laser in situ keratomileusis, 4 after radial keratotomy, 1 after photorefractive keratectomy) were evaluated. Postoperatively, the mean UDVA increased from 20/185 to 20/66 (P = .005) and the mean CDVA, from 20/125 to 20/40 (P = .008). The mean asphericity decreased from -0.95 preoperatively to -0.23 postoperatively (P = .006). The mean pachymetry at the apex of the cornea increased from 457.7 microm +/- 48.7 (SD) preoperatively to 466.2 +/- 49.8 mum postoperatively (P = .025) and the mean pachymetry at the thinnest point, from 436.3 +/- 46.2 microm to 453.9 +/- 49.3 microm (P = .000). The mean keratometry decreased from 45.41 +/- 5.63 diopters (D) to 42.88 +/- 4.44 D, respectively; the decrease was statistically significant (P = .000). CONCLUSION: Intrastromal corneal ring segment implantation significantly improved UDVA and CDVA in patients with corneal ectasia.