Intrastromal Corneal Ring Segments for Astigmatism Correction after Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty

Abstract

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.