Keratoconus correction using a new model of intrastromal corneal ring segments

Comparing the Postoperative Outcomes of Intrastromal Corneal Ring Segments in Three Different Topographic Patterns of Eccentric Keratoconus

PURPOSE

To compare the postoperative outcomes following implantation of KERATACx ring segments (Imperial Medical Technologies Europe GmbH) in patients having eccentric keratoconus with three different topographic patterns.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study was conducted at Maadi Eye Subspeciality Center, Cairo, Egypt. The study included patients with keratoconus who had implantation of KERATACx ring segments. Three groups were segregated based on topographic keratoconus patterns using the Sirius CSO Topographer (CSO Italia): type I ectasia where the cone coincides with the corneal flat axis, type II ectasia in which the cone coincides with neither the steep nor the flat axis and lies between the two axes, and type II ectasia for cones coinciding with the corneal steep axis. The visual and topographic outcomes were compared preoperatively and postoperatively for the three enrolled groups.

RESULTS

This study enrolled 92 eyes of 92 patients and had a mean ± standard deviation follow-up of 16.9 ± 9.2 months. The patients' medical records revealed that night vision complaints and halos around the light were experienced the most by the type III ectasia group (31.25%). For the type III ectasia group, four topographic indices and one visual parameter did not show statistically significant differences between the preoperative and postoperative data (inferior-superior difference at 2- and 4-mm diameter, coma aberration, higher order aberrations, and uncorrected distance visual acuity), contrary to the type I and II ectasia groups, which showed significant improvements in all evaluated parameters.

CONCLUSIONS

The type III morphological pattern of ectasia is the least likely to benefit from KERATACx ring segments implantation. [J Refract Surg. 2024;40(9):e625-e634.].

Iatrogenic Keratectasia after Refractive Surgery - Causes, Prophylaxis, Therapy

Iatrogenic keratectasia is induced thinning and protrusion of the cornea after laser refractive surgery. Known risk factors include an excessively thin postoperative residual stromal bed, a thicker flap, or preoperatively undetected evidence of preexisting subclinical keratoconus. The rate of post-refractive ectasia in eyes without identifiable preoperative risk factors is 20 per 100 000 eyes for photorefractive keratectomy, 90 per 100 000 eyes for laser in situ keratomileusis, and 11 per 100 000 eyes for small incision lenticule extraction. Traditional screening tools for preoperative risk include the ectasia risk score system and percentage of tissue alteration. More recent methods include corneal elastography and epithelial mapping, in addition to Artificial Intelligence methods for data analysis. Therapy includes contact lenses, cross-linking, implantation of intracorneal ring segments, penetrating or lamellar keratoplasty, and, in early studies, implantation of corneal lenticules.

Clinical evaluation of the effectiveness of asymmetric intracorneal ring with variable thickness and width for the management of keratoconus

PURPOSE

To evaluate the short-term clinical outcomes obtained with a new model of asymmetric intracorneal ring segments (ICRS) with variable thickness and base width in keratoconus.

SETTING

Four ophthalmologic centers in Spain.

DESIGN

Prospective multicenter longitudinal noncomparative clinical trial.

METHODS

Thirty-one keratoconus eyes of 25 patients (aged 15 to 50 years) that underwent implantation of ICRS of variable thickness and base (AJL-pro+) in 4 Spanish centers were enrolled. Visual, refractive, topographic, aberrometric, and pachymetric changes were evaluated during a 3-month follow-up. Complications were also recorded.

RESULTS

Statistically significant changes after surgery were observed in uncorrected distance visual acuity (P = .002) and corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) (P = .005), as well as in spherical equivalent (P = .006). At 3 months postoperatively, no loss of 2 or more lines of CDVA was observed, whereas 48.4% (15) of eyes gained ≥1 line. Statistically significant changes were observed in the steepest and mean keratometric values (P ≤ .047) and in the magnitude of astigmatism (P < .001) of both anterior and posterior corneal surfaces. Likewise, a change to a less prolate shape of the anterior surface was found (P = .011). Primary coma was also reduced significantly at 1 month postoperatively (P = .001, mean reduction 40.1%). No serious implant-related complications occurred during the follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

The implantation of intrastromal asymmetric ring segments of variable thickness and base width in keratoconus corneas induces a significant anterior corneal flattening, leading to refractive changes, a significant reduction of its prolate shape and irregularity, and improvement in patient CDVA.

Ectatic diseases

Ectatic corneal disease (ECD) comprises a group of disorders characterized by progressive thinning and subsequent bulging of the corneal structure. Different phenotypes have been recognized, including keratoglobus, pellucid marginal degeneration (PMD), and keratoconus (KC). Keratoconus has been widely investigated throughout the years, but the advent of laser refractive surgery boosted an immediate need for more knowledge and research about ectatic diseases. This article discusses nomenclature of ectatic disease, etiology and pathogenesis, along with treatment options, with special focus ok KC and forme fruste keratoconus.

Combined corneal cross-linking and 320° intrastromal corneal ring segments in progressive keratoconus: one-year results

BACKGROUND

Intrastromal corneal ring segments (ICRS) attain regularization of corneal surface in keratoconus (KC), while collagen cross-linking (CXL) halts or slows its progression. The long-arc 320° rings combined with CXL may have a dual-benefit synergistic effect of surface regularity and progression halt.

METHODS

This was a prospective case series study including eyes with progressive KC. Femto-assisted 320° ICRS implantation and epi-off CXL 8 weeks later were carried out in all cases. Uncorrected (UCVA) and corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) were assessed using Snellen's chart, while corneal tomography was evaluated using Scheimpflug imaging. Follow-up was carried out 3, 6, and 12 months after the CXL.

RESULTS

Thirty-two eyes of 32 patients with progressive KC were included, 18 males and 14 females, and the mean age was 23.1 years. According to the Amsler-Krumeich classification, four eyes had stage 1 KC, 20 had stage 2 KC, and eight had stage 3 KC, and UCVA and CDVA improved from 0.1 ± 0.15 and 0.2 ± 0.19 to 0.4 ± 0.2 (P>  0.01) and 0.5 ± 0.2 (P>  0.01) respectively at 12 months. Manifest refraction spherical equivalent was reduced from - 5.6 ± 2.3 to - 1.1 ± 1.3 D at 12 months after the procedure (P>  0.01). In addition, maximum keratometry was significantly reduced from 54.8 to 49.3 diopters (P>  0.01), while the asphericity index (Q value) has changed from - 1.4 to - 0.25 (P>  0.01) after 12 months. No significant differences were detected between central (n = 12) and eccentric (n = 20) KC in all outcomes.

CONCLUSION

The 320° ICRS-CXL protocol has improved the visual and the tomographic outcomes at 1 year in our patients with progressive KC. No differences were detected between central and eccentric cases. Further larger studies could ensure the safety profile of the combined protocol.

Evaluation of a Tangential Map-Based Nomogram for Intrastromal Corneal Ring Segments' Implantation in Keratoconus: One Year Results

Purpose

To evaluate a new tangential map-based nomogram versus the axial map-based nomogram for ICRS in keratoconus.

Methods

A prospective case series study including 64 eyes of 64 patients who underwent ICRS implantation. Cone location was determined for each eye with two maps: the axial and the tangential. Appropriate ring selection was determined using two surgical nomograms: axial map-based and tangential map-based. Visual, refractive, and topographic outcomes were assessed before, as well as at 3, 6, and 12 months after ICRS implantation.

Results

The cone location, and consequently the ring selection, was significantly different in the two nomograms with a “centralization tendency” in the tangential map. In the axial group, UDVA and CDVA improved from 0.12 ± 0.04 and 0.24 ± 0.08 to 0.28 ± 0.08 and 0.4 ± 0.1, respectively. Similarly, MRSE substantially decreased from −6.7 ± 3.3 to −1.2 ± 1.1D at 12 months after the procedure. In the tangential group, UDVA and CDVA improved from 0.09 ± 0.06 and 0.2 ± 0.1 to 0.5 ± 0.2 and 0.7 ± 0.2, respectively. MRSE substantially decreased from −4.9 ± 1D at 12 months after the procedure. In the tangential group, UDVA and CDVA improved from 0.09 ± 0.06 and 0.2 ± 0.1 to 0.5 ± 0.2 and 0.7 ± 0.2, respectively. MRSE substantially decreased from −4.9 ± 1D at 12 months after the procedure. In the tangential group, UDVA and CDVA improved from 0.09 ± 0.06 and 0.2 ± 0.1 to 0.5 ± 0.2 and 0.7 ± 0.2, respectively. MRSE substantially decreased from −4.9 ± 1P=0.01^∗. Similarly, the gain in the CDVA was 0.4 and 0.15 in the tangential and axial groups, respectively, at 12 months, P=0.01^∗. Similarly, the gain in the CDVA was 0.4 and 0.15 in the tangential and axial groups, respectively, at 12 months,

Conclusion

The tangential map-based nomogram attained better visual and refractive outcomes at 1 year. In addition, the cone location was significantly different between both maps with a centralization tendency in the tangential one.

Efficacy of Different Procedures of Intra-Corneal Ring Segment Implantation in Keratoconus: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Purpose

To evaluate the efficacy of the functional, keratometric, and refractive postoperative parameters of intracorneal ring segment (ICRS) implantation in keratoconus and its association with collagen cross-linking (CXL), photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), and intraocular lenses (IOLs).

Methods

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on case series published between 2007 and 2017.

Results

We included 95 case series with a total of 4560 patients. We included 64 studies of the ICRS procedure, 20 studies of ICRS+CXL, 9 studies of ICRS+CXL+PRK, and 5 studies of ICRS+IOL. We demonstrated an overall improvement of all parameters in all procedures. Cylinder was decreased with an overall effect size (ES) of −1.15 (−1.36 to −0.95; I² = 93.7%). Corrected distance visual acuity was improved with an overall ES of 0.89 (0.78 to 1.00; I² = 81.9%). Maximal keratometry was decreased with an overall ES of 0.98 (0.85 to 1.11; I² = 78.9%). ICRS+IOL is the best procedure to improve spherical equivalent and uncorrected distance visual acuity (P < 0.05) compared with other procedures. ICRSs versus ICRS+CXL are similar in all parameters except for corrected distance visual acuity. ICRS+CXL+PRK is better than ICRS alone in all parameters except for the correction of spherical equivalent.

Conclusions

Although the quality and strength of the data are questionable, ICRS implantation is an effective strategy to preserve visual function in keratoconic patients. Particularly, ICRS+CXL+PRK could be a low invasive procedure to propose to young keratoconic patients.

Translational Relevance

To propose an overview of postoperative parameters on each ICRS procedure on keratoconus.

Effect of the variability in implantation depth of intracorneal ring segments using the femtosecond laser technology in corneal ectasia

Purpose:

To analyze the impact of the depth of implantation of intracorneal ring segments on morphological, biomechanical, and clinical outcomes in ectatic corneas.

Methods:

This prospective longitudinal study enrolled 40 eyes of 29 patients (age 20–51 years) with corneal ectasia that underwent intracorneal ring segments implantation (KeraRing, Mediphacos). Changes in visual acuity, refraction, corneal tomography, and corneal biomechanics (Ocular Response Analyzer, Reichert) were evaluated during a 6 month follow-up. Likewise, changes in ring segment implantation depth measured by optical coherence tomography (Visante OCT, Carl Zeiss Meditec) were also evaluated.

Results:

Mean relative depth of implantation was 71.6 ± 5.8%, 71.5 ± 6.5%, and 71.9 ± 6.3% at 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery, respectively (p = 0.827). The difference between the real relative depth of implantation and the theoretical attempted value of 70% was not statistically significant (p = 0.072). Differences in spherical equivalent during the follow-up changed significantly depending on the level of relative depth of implantation (p = 0.036), with an increase of 0.114 D per each 1% increase in relative depth of implantation. Likewise, a decrease of –0.194 D in the steepest keratometric reading was found per each decrease of 1% in relative depth of implantation (p = 0.026). Changes in corneal thickness (p = 0.092) and biomechanics (p = 0.080) were not related to relative depth of implantation.

Conclusion:

The effect on visual acuity and refraction of intracorneal ring segments when implanted in corneal ectasia is less clinically relevant when the implantation is done at a very deep plane. The variability of the depth of intracorneal ring segments implantation when using femtosecond laser technology is minimal and with no clinically significant effect on clinical outcomes.

Correlation of central and peripheral keratometric parameters after corneal collagen cross-linking in keratoconus patients

PURPOSE

To evaluate the difference in the central and peripheral keratometric parameters in patients with keratoconus after corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL).

METHODS

Forty-eight eyes of 32 patients (18 males, 16-28 years) affected by progressive keratoconus in different stages of evolution underwent CXL using the standard epithelium-off protocol. Corneal thickness and corneal curvature before CXL and after 6 and 12 months using the Sirius tomographer were analyzed. The values of the mean corneal thickness at the corneal apex (CAT), center of the pupil (PCT), thinnest point (CTTL) and along concentric circles of 2, 4, 6, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5 and 10 mm diameter were evaluated; the values of the mean curvature at the corneal apex and at the points in which the inferior, superior, nasal and temporal meridians crossed the above-mentioned concentric circles were also evaluated.

RESULTS

The mean preoperative values for CAT, PCT and CTTL were 461.4 ± 30.3, 475.3 ± 30.5 and 441 ± 32.0, respectively. The values after 12 months of CXL were 444.6 ± 36.2, 451.6 ± 36.7 and 418.2 ± 41.4. The peripheral corneal thickness at the eight points ranged from 479 to 733 preoperatively. At 12-month post-CXL, the values ranged from 444.6 to 734.1. The mean posterior curvature from apex to periphery ranged from - 4.5 to - 9.1 days preoperatively and from - 4.5 to - 9.2 days at 12 months. These were not statistically significant (ANOVA and unpaired T test).

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that CXL over an 8-mm zone can stabilize the peripheral cornea. Longer-term follow-up studies on the peripheral cornea after CXL will provide useful information.

Mathematical analysis of corneal remodelling after intracorneal ring surgery in keratoconus

AIM

To represent mathematically the intersection between the ectatic corneal geometry and the plane of intracorneal ring implants (ICRS) in order to determine the corneal response to ICRS surgery in keratoconus (KC). Thereafter, to present the concept and early results of a newly derived topography-guided nomogram for ICRS surgery for the treatment of keratectasia.

METHODS

The corneal rings plane intersection was modelled to a conic section. Ring effect was the result of: the ring size, position (steep vs flat), location (distance from the geometric centre of the cornea), and the discrepancy between the ring's curvature and the tunnel's curvature. Femtosecond laser was used to create the tunnels and the incision sites were chosen according to the nomogram in order to place the thickest ring in the steepest portion of the cornea regardless of the astigmatism axis of refraction.

RESULTS

The conic section had a more prolate shape in the steep area of the cornea than in the flat area, depending on the corneal sagittal curvature. Equal ring size had more flattening effect in the steep area than in the flat area. Thick segment should be implanted under the steep portion of the cornea regardless of the cylinder axis of refraction. Single segment in the steep area was sufficient in early and moderate cases of KC. The new nomogram provided more topographic regularity with significant reduction of astigmatism and better improvement in uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) than the conventional nomogram.

CONCLUSION

The newly derived nomogram can produce better results than the conventional nomogram. Moreover, based on this concept, a new nomogram can be integrated into the femtosecond laser software to create topography-guided, customized, elliptical tunnels with modified focal asphericity that allows for customized focal flattening of the irregularly steepened ectatic cornea.

Molecular and Histopathological Changes Associated with Keratoconus

Keratoconus (KC) is a corneal thinning disorder that leads to loss of visual acuity through ectasia, opacity, and irregular astigmatism. It is one of the leading indicators for corneal transplantation in the Western countries. KC usually starts at puberty and progresses until the third or fourth decade; however its progression differs among patients. In the keratoconic cornea, all layers except the endothelium have been shown to have histopathological structural changes. Despite numerous studies in the last several decades, the mechanisms of KC development and progression remain unclear. Both genetic and environmental factors may contribute to the pathogenesis of KC. Many previous articles have reviewed the genetic aspects of KC, but in this review we summarize the histopathological features of different layers of cornea and discuss the differentially expressed proteins in the KC-affected cornea. This summary will help emphasize the major molecular defects in KC and identify additional research areas related to KC, potentially opening up possibilities for novel methods of KC prevention and therapeutic intervention.