Purpose: We attempted to eva luate the efficacy of femtosecond laser-assi sted intrastromal corneal ring segment implantati on in patients with keratoconus (KC). Patients and methods: A retrospective interventional consecutive clinical study was conducted on patients with KC who were treated with femtosecond laser Keraring implantation. All procedures were performed at Ebsar Eye Center in the period from January 5, 2015, to February 28, 2016. Results: Thirty eyes of 20 patients were included in this study. The mean age of patients was 27.43±3.57 years. Eleven patients (55%) were female and nine patients (45%) were male. Keraring segments were successfully implanted in all eyes. There were no complications or need for ring repositioning. The follow-up period was 6 months postoperatively. There was a siglliticant improvement in the mean logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (LogMAR) ofuncorrected visual acuity (UCV A) after Keraring segment implantation from 1.5±0.23 preoperatively to 0.54±0.16 at 6 months postoperatively (P=O.OO I). The preoperative mean LogMAR ofbestcorrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.85±0.17. At I month postoperatively, it was 0.35±0.15; at3 months postoperatively, it was 0.26±0.11, and at 6 months postoperatively, it was 0.14±0.07 (P=O.OO I). The mean preoperative maximUfll keratometric value for 3 mm pupil in diopters (K max) significantly decreased from 55.85±5.44 pre~eratively (N=30) to 44.05±1.64 D at 6 months postoperatively (P=O.OO 1). TIlere was a statistically significant reduct ion in the mean preoperative spherical equivalent from -5.43±1.76 D preoperatively to -2.43±0.95 D at 6 months postoperatively. No statistically significant differences wcre detected between I and 3 months of follow-up regarding the visual and refractive outcomes. Conclusion: Analysis of the outcomes after Keraring ICRS implantation showed a significant postoperative corneal fbltening with a subsequent increase in UCVA and BCVA. Using the femtosecond laser for tunnel creation made the procedure easy and fast with an accurate precise depth of implantation and reduced the risk of operative and postoperative complications. |
