Confocal microscopy of corneas with an intracorneal lens for hyperopia.
OBJECTIVE
We evaluated short-term results and confocal microscopic corneal changes following intracorneal lens implantation.


METHODS
In six eyes of three patients with hyperopia between +3.00 and +6.00 diopters (D), an intrastromal hydrogel lens (Permavision, Anamed, Anaheim, Calif) was implanted. Mean baseline hyperopia was +3.90 D. Manifest refraction, uncorrected visual acuity, and spectacle-corrected visual acuity were evaluated. We also performed confocal real-time microscopy with a water immersion objective. Corneal optical sections were recorded and reviewed frame by frame. Examinations were done at months 3, 6, and 12 after intracorneal lens implantation.


RESULTS
After surgery, the spherical equivalent refraction was within +/- 0.50 D in 83% (five of six eyes) at 3 months and 100% (six eyes) at 6 and 12 months. Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) at 3 months was within 20/40 or better in 67% (four eyes) and in 100% (six eyes) at 6 and 12 months; no eyes had 20/20 or better UCVA at 3 and 6 months. One eye (17%) had 20/20 or better UCVA at 12 months. On confocal microscopy, one eye had an amorphous deposit adjacent to the lens and presumed fibroblastic activity in the same stromal area at 6 months, which was non-progressive up to 12 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Intracorneal lenses may be a treatment option for correction of spherical hyperopia. Predictability must be improved but results in these six eyes were stable up to 1 year. Confocal miscroscopy confirmed biocompatibility and showed no abnormal changes, except two spots of hypercellularity in one eye.
Güell
José L
JL
Instituto de Microcirugía Ocular, Departamento de Cornea, c/Munner 10, 10 CP 08022, Barcelona, Spain. guell@imo.es
Velasco
Fortino
F
Guerrero
Eugenio
E
Gris
Oscar
O
Pujol
Jaume
J
D000328:Adult; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003315:Cornea / Q000473:pathology*; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000601:surgery; D019781:Corneal Topography; D006801:Humans; D006956:Hyperopia / Q000601:surgery*; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D014792:Visual Acuity
D001672:Biocompatible Materials