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Comparison between the results of implanting a long-arch segment versus two standard arch segments for treatment of keratoconus patients

ABSTRACT

Purpose:

To retrospectively analyze the changes in corneal keratometry and astigmatism after intrastromal ring surgery, comparing the use of one long arch segment versus two traditional arc length segments.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study obtained data from 94 eyes of patients diagnosed with keratoconus that underwent surgical treatment with corneal ring implant. They were divided into two groups according to the type of implant received: one long-arch segment (Group A) or two traditional segments (Group B), both 250 microns thick. Preoperative data from the two groups were compared to ensure that the samples were similar (the differences between the two groups were not statistically significant). The variables (pre and post-operatively) analyzed were: best corrected visual acuity, keratometry, corneal astigmatism and refraction.

Results:

Group A, which received one long arch segment, showed a Km decrease of 4.42D (8.7%) and a corneal astigmatism reduction of 2.43D (40.4%). Group B, where the eyes acquired two traditional arch segments, showed an average Km decrease of 2.66D (5.1%) and corneal astigmatism reduction of 2.11D (34.8%). The mean keratometry (Km) reduction obtained was statistically significant (p≤0.05) when comparing both groups (A and B). The mean corneal astigmatism reduction was not statistically significant (p≤0.05) when comparing both groups (A and B).

Conclusions:

One long-arch segment has been demonstrated to have a greater capacity to reduce corneal curvature when compared to the use of two traditional-sized arch segments. No significant differences were found regarding the reduction of corneal astigmatism after comparing the results obtained in both groups.

Keywords:
Keratoconus; Corneal topography; Astigmatism; Ocular refraction; Prostheses and implants

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