title: Intrastromal corneal ring segments: how successful is the surgical treatment of keratoconus?
abstract: This review evaluates the outcomes of intrastromal corneal ring segment (ICRS) implantation for the treatment of keratoconus considering a new grading system based on the preoperative visual impairment of the patient. Additionally, a five-year follow-up analysis of patients with stable and progressive keratoconus is performed in order to assess the long term stability of the surgical procedure. Corrected distance visual acuity decreased statistically significantly in patients with mild keratoconus (P < 0.01) but statistically significantly increased in all other grades (P < 0.05). The improvement in visual acuity and the decrease of keratometric and aberrometric values were stable throughout a long period of time in patients with stable keratoconus. In patients with progressive form keratoconus, a significant improvement was found immediately after the procedure, however clinically relevant regression greater than 3 D was observed at the end of the follow up period.
authors.affiliation: Keratoconus Unit, Vissum Coorporation, Alicante, Spain ; Division of Ophthalmology, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Alicante, Spain.
authors.forename: Jorge L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Alio
authors.affiliation: Keratoconus Unit, Vissum Coorporation, Alicante, Spain ; Division of Ophthalmology, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Alicante, Spain.
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vega-Estrada
authors.affiliation: Keratoconus Unit, Vissum Coorporation, Alicante, Spain ; Division of Ophthalmology, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Alicante, Spain.
authors.forename: Santiago
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Esperanza
authors.affiliation: Anterior Segment Department, Centro de Oftalmología Barraquer, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Rafael I
authors.initials: RI
authors.lastname: Barraquer
authors.affiliation: Anterior Segment Department, Vissum Corporation, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Miguel A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Teus
authors.affiliation: Ophthalmology Department, Coimbra University Hospital, Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Joaquim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Murta
mesh_terms: D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000601:surgery*; D019781:Corneal Topography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007640:Keratoconus / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods*; D012029:Refraction, Ocular / Q000502:physiology; D054140:Refractive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology
keywords: Intracorneal Ring Segments; Keratoconus; Keratoconus Treatment