V 735
Intracorneal ring segments (ICR) a surgical alternative to PRK and LASIK for the correction of lower myopiaH. W. Görges, H. Höh, K. Rehfeldt
Background: Since 1996 in Europe and since 1999 in USA, intracorneal ring segments are available for the correction of lower myopia up to 4.5 D.
Method: We report about 82 implantations in 54 patients wishing the implantation of intracorneal ring segments for the correction of low myopia. Postoperative follow-ups were performed after fixed periods of time for a year.
Results: The average preoperative myopia was 3.4 D. 97.4 % of the eyes achieved the refraction target ± 1 D 12 months postoperatively. 92.3 % showed a deviation of max. ± 0.5 D. The refraction is almost stabile after one week and shows no regression during the following year. All eyes achieved an uncorrected visual acuity of ³ 0.5, 94.7 % ³ 0.8. After early achievement of visual acuity of 0.5, visual acuity rose continuously after a year. All patients kept their bestcorrected visual acuity ± 1 line. Following complications occurred: three time astigmatism ³ 2.0 D, three times dislocation of the ring segments, twice double vision. Four patients wished the explantation of the ring segments due to these complications. All these patients achieved the preoperative refraction (spherical equivalent).
Conclusion: The implantation of intracorneal ring segments is a highly safe method for the correction of myopia up to 4.5 D. A pre-existing or induced astigmatism can be corrected by T-incision. The implantation can be reversed by explantation, correction of astigmatism can be done by T-incisions.
Augenklinik im Klinikum Neubrandenburg, PF 40 01 35, D-17022 Neubrandenburg, Germany