Results of intrastromal corneal ring segment implanted alone or combined with same-day corneal crosslinking and their correlation with preoperative corneal biomechanical strain from finite element analysis.

PURPOSE: To compare the results of intrastromal corneal ring segment (ICRS) alone or combined with same-day corneal crosslinking (CXL) and investigate the relationship of preoperative corneal biomechanics data on the outcomes. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology of Federal University of Parana. DESIGN: Prospective nonrandomized interventional comparative study. METHODS: Forty-nine eyes of 44 keratoconus patients underwent ICRS only (n = 27, Group 1) or same day ICRS+CXL (n = 22, Group 2) and were followed up for at least 24 months. Visual acuity and preoperative and postoperative tomographic variables were compared between groups. Tomographic data were obtained with a dual Scheimpflug analyzer, and eye-specific finite-element models were used to derive 3 variables related to preoperative biomechanical strain (maximum principal strain [MPS]): mean MPS (mMPS), highest local MPS (hMPS), and position of the hMPS (hMPSx and hMPSy). The relationship between preoperative strain data and the change (∆, difference between postoperative and preoperative data) in tomographic parameters was also investigated. RESULTS: Steepest (K2) and maximum keratometry (Kmax), inferior-superior (I-S) index, coma, and cone location magnitude index (CLMI) significantly improved in both groups. Corrected distance visual acuity was significantly better after ICRS alone (P = .03), whereas corneal asymmetry measured through the I-S index was better after CXL+ICRS (P = .04). In Group 1, hMPSy significantly correlated with K2, tomographical cylinder, mean keratometry, and ∆spherical aberration, whereas mMPS significantly correlated with ∆eccentricity. In Group 2, hMPS significantly correlated with K2, Kmax, I-S index, and ∆coma, and hMPSy significantly correlated with I-S index and ∆coma. The mMPS significantly correlated with ∆CLMI. CONCLUSIONS: ICRS alone seems to be the most suitable option to improve visual acuity, whereas combined ICRS+CXL provided better corneal regularizing results. Preoperative peak strain (hMPS) was predictive of the extent of regularization and flattening after ICRS+CXL.

Intracorneal Ring Segments Implantation for Corneal Ectasia.

PURPOSE: To provide an overview of the predictability, safety, and efficacy of intrastromal corneal ring segment (ICRS) implantation as a tool to improve visual acuity and its association with other techniques such as corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL), addressing biomechanical outcomes, models, surgical planning and technique, indications, contraindications, and complications in ectatic corneas. METHODS: Literature review. RESULTS: ICRSs have been used to regularize the corneal shape and reduce corneal astigmatism and higher order aberrations, improve visual acuity to acceptable limits, and delay, or eventually prevent, a corneal keratoplasty in keratoconic eyes. Changes in ICRS thickness and size, combination of techniques, and the addition of femtosecond lasers to dissect more foreseeable channels represent an improvement toward more predictable results. Several studies have shown, over time, the long-term efficacy and safety of ICRS treatment for keratoconus, with variable predictability, maintaining the early satisfactory outcomes regarding visual acuity, keratometry, and corneal thickness. It is just as important to ensure that the disease will not progress as it is to improve the visual acuity. Therefore, many studies have shown combined techniques using ICRS implantation and CXL. Also, further limitations of ICRS implantation can be addressed when associated with phakic intraocular lens implantation and photorefractive keratectomy. CONCLUSIONS: ICRS implantation has shown effectiveness and safety in most cases, including combined procedures. In properly selected eyes, it can improve both refraction and vision in patients with keratoconus. [J Refract Surg. 2016;32(12):829-839.].

Comparison of keratometric changes after myopic ablation: ray tracing versus simulated keratometry.

PURPOSE: To compare the changes in corneal power (ΔK) induced by myopic ablations estimated by Placido-disk and total corneal power (TCP) ray tracing methods to the refractive change (ΔSE). METHODS: Manifest refraction, simulated keratometry from a Placido-disk based system, and TCP from a dual-Scheimpflug analyzer were obtained from 35 patients (58 eyes) before and 3 months after a myopic ablation. The change in the manifest refraction that occurred after surgery was then vertex distance corrected and compared to the changes observed in corneal power with the various systems analyzed. RESULTS: The Placido-based simulated keratometry overestimated the corneal power after the procedure by 0.50 ± 0.53 diopters (D) when compared to refractive change in the corneal plane induced by the laser surgery (ΔSE-ΔK). The ray tracing method showed the opposite trend, with the TCP simulated keratometry showing an underestimation of the corneal power of -0.25 ± 0.48 D. The Placido system showed a direct correlation between the overestimation of the corneal power and the level of myopia, whereas the ray tracing method showed an underestimation, which was more pronounced in higher levels of myopia. CONCLUSIONS: Ray tracing methods underestimate corneal power as opposed to the overestimation in corneal power after refractive surgery, directly related to the level of myopia, observed in Placido-based systems. They have the potential to overcome the errors in calculations based on anterior curvature alone. However, ray tracing methods need to be validated and optimized before it can be used routinely in IOL calculation.