Intrastromal corneal ring segment implantation in pediatric patients with keratoconus: long-term follow-up

Authors

  • Catarina Castro Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Santo António https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7707-7861
  • Nisa Silva Unidade Local de Saúde de Matosinhos – Hospital Pedro Hispano
  • Ana Carolina Abreu Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Santo António
  • Saul Pires Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Santo António https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3461-2876
  • Miguel Mesquita Neves Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Santo António https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3080-6035
  • Miguel Gomes Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Santo António
  • Oliveira Luis Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Santo António
  • Pedro Menéres Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Santo António, ICBAS – Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31288/oftalmolzh20234913

Keywords:

Keratoconus, Intrastromal corneal ring segments, visual acuity, keratometry

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the long-term outcomes of Intrastromal Corneal Ring Segments (ICRS) implantation in pediatric patients with keratoconus. 

Methods: Retrospective analysis of eyes with ICRS implantation in pediatric age. Uncorrected (UCVA) and best-corrected (BCVA) visual acuity, maximum and minimum keratometry (Kmax and Kmin), and corneal thickness at the thinnest point (CTTP) were evaluated preoperatively, 6 to 12 months after surgery, 5 years after surgery, and at the last follow-up visit (>10 years after surgery). 

Results: Fourteen eyes (10 patients) were included. In 5 eyes all ICRS were explanted and in 1 eye, one of the segments was explanted. UCVA (p=0.028) and BCVA (p=0.028) improved 6 to 12 months after surgery and remained stable afterwards (p>0.999). There was a decrease in Kmax and Kmin 6 to 12 months after surgery (p<0.001 and p=0.012, respectively), with subsequent stability at the 5-year follow-up (p=0.736 and p=0.056, respectively). Kmax remained stable at the last follow-up (p>0.999) but there was an increase in Kmin (p=0.028). There were no changes in CTTP (p=0.097).

Conclusion: ICRS implantation seems to be a minimally invasive, and reversible procedure that leads to improvement of BCVA and keratometry readings.  Despite this, the need for explantation increased overtime.

Author Biographies

  • Catarina Castro, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Santo António

    Ophthalmology Department

  • Ana Carolina Abreu, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Santo António

    Ophthalmology Department

  • Saul Pires, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Santo António

    Ophthalmology Department

  • Miguel Mesquita Neves, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Santo António

    Ophthalmology Department

  • Miguel Gomes, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Santo António

    Ophthalmology Department

  • Oliveira Luis, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Santo António

    Ophthalmology Department

  • Pedro Menéres, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Santo António, ICBAS – Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto

    Ophthalmology Department

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Published

2023-09-04

Issue

No. 4 (2023): Journal of Ophthalmology (Ukraine)

Section

Clinical Ophthalmology

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Copyright (c) 2023 Castro C., Silva N., Pires S., Abreu A. C., Neves M. M., Gomes M., Oliveira L., Menéres P.

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How to Cite

[1]
2023. Intrastromal corneal ring segment implantation in pediatric patients with keratoconus: long-term follow-up. Ukrainian Journal of Ophthalmology . 4 (Sep. 2023), 9–13. DOI:https://doi.org/10.31288/oftalmolzh20234913.

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