Work

Intrastromal corneal ring segment implantation in pediatric keratoconus: Up to 10 years of follow-up

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Purpose To evaluate the Intrastromal corneal ring segment (ICRS) implantation for visual rehabilitation in pediatric patients with keratoconus. Methods Patients aged ≤18 years with keratoconus who underwent ICRS implantation were included. Uncorrected (UDVA) and corrected (CDVA) distance visual acuities, manifest refraction and keratometry were recorded preoperatively and at 1–5–7– and 10–year postoperatively. Treatment was categorized as success, qualified success or failure based on short-term visual and refractive improvement, the visual and refractive stability and the comparison between the long-term follow-up and the preoperative. Results One hundred seven eyes (85 patients) were included. All eyes were examined 1 year postoperatively, 89 at 5 years, 69 at 7 years and 36 at 10 years. UDVA (logMAR) changed from 0.64 ± 0.38 preoperatively to 0.34 ± 0.24 one year postoperatively ( P < 0.0001). CDVA (logMAR) rose from 0.19 ± 0.15 to 0.08 ± 0.08 ( P < 0.0001). No eyes lost lines of CDVA 1 year postoperatively compared to preoperative, and 74.8% of the eyes gained lines. Preoperatively, 61.7% of the eyes had a refractive cylinder ≥3.00 D; one year postoperatively, 76.6% had <3.00 D. The treatment was successful in most cases at 5–, 7– and 10–year follow-ups (84.3%, 85.5%, and 88.9%, respectively), qualified success in around 8% of the eyes, and treatment failed in 6 eyes represented a cumulative rate over the 10 years <10% Conclusion ICRS implantation induced significant visual and refractive improvements, and in most eyes with available long-term follow-up, visual and refractive improvements were maintained, supporting ICRS as a long-term visual rehabilitation option in pediatric keratoconus.

Source: European Journal of Ophthalmology

DOI: 10.1177/11206721261437863