title: Penetrating keratoplasty versus intrastromal corneal ring segments to correct bilateral corneal ectasia: preliminary study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the outcomes over time in patients with corneal ectasia pathology treated with intrastromal corneal ring segments (Intacs, Addition Technology, Inc.) in 1 eye and penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) in the other eye.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinica de Cornea, Centro Medico Docente La Trinidad, Caracas, Venezuela.
  
  
  METHODS
  A nonrandomized comparative study and analysis of retrospective data comprised 17 patients who had PKP in 1 eye and Intacs implantation in the other eye. Patients were classified into 2 groups: asymmetric (different grade of keratoconus in each eye) and symmetric (same grade of keratoconus in both eyes). Parameters analyzed included uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and keratometry (flat and steep values and astigmatism readings). Follow-up after PKP was at 24 hours and 6 and 24 months and after Intacs implantation, at 24 hours and 3 and 10 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In both groups, UCVA improved and the corneal shape was normal. No patient lost a line of acuity, and BCVA improved in both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Eyes with Intacs had a shorter recovery time than eyes having PKP. The eyes with Intacs had no complications. Complications in eyes with PKP included cataract, graft rejection, and elevated intraocular pressure. Thus, Intacs segments may delay or prevent the need for a corneal graft, although longer follow-up is needed.
authors.affiliation: Centro Medico Docente La Trinidad, Avenida Intercomunal, El Hatillo, Caracas, Venezuela. rodlui@cantv.net
authors.forename: Luis A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Rodríguez
authors.forename: Pamela B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Guillén
authors.forename: María A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Benavides
authors.forename: Licette
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.forename: Dianela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Porras
authors.forename: Rodrigo M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Daqui-Garay
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000601:surgery*; D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D007640:Keratoconus / Q000601:surgery*; D015948:Keratoplasty, Penetrating; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014792:Visual Acuity
chemical_list: D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate