Intracorneal rings for keratoconus and keratectasia

Abstract

Intrastromal corneal ring segments were designed to achieve refractive adjustment by flattening the cornea. Recently, they have been used to reshape keratoconic corneas to improve uncorrected visual acuity, best corrected visual acuity, and contact lens tolerance and to delay or prevent the need for keratoplasty. Intracorneal ring segments have several distinct and important advantages. New thicknesses and different ring sizes and the use of femtosecond lasers to dissect channels inside the cornea will likely improve the surgical outcomes. This article reviews the latest data published or presented at meetings on the correction of keratoconus and keratectasia by intracorneal ring segments.