Comparative Study Of Asymmetric Versus Non-Asymmetric Intrastromal Corneal Ring Segments For The Management Of Keratoconus

PURPOSE: To compare the outcomes obtained with models of asymmetric and non-asymmetric intracorneal ring segments (ICRS) in keratoconic eyes with asymmetric topographic patterns.METHODS: In this prospective observational study, ICRS were implanted alternately in patients with the same tomographic patterns of keratoconus assigned to four groups. Patients with the "duck" phenotype received one asymmetric or nonasymmetric ICRS and patients with the "snowman" phenotype received two asymmetric or non-asymmetric ICRS. Visual, refractive, astigmatism, keratometric, and corneal aberrometry changes were evaluated over a 6-month follow-up period.RESULTS: Sixty-eight eyes were analyzed. No significant difference was observed between the use of one asymmetric and one non-asymmetric ICRS in duck phenotypes. In snowman keratoconus, the inferior-superior index decreased significantly (P = .03) with asymmetric but not with non-asymmetric ICRS implantation. Total corneal higher order aberrations and coma rates were lower, but not significantly so, after the implantation of two asymmetric ICRS in snowman phenotypes (2.85 +/- 0.89 to 2.60 +/- 0.91 mu m, P = .20 and 2.64 +/- 0.93 to 2.39 +/- 0.98 mu m, P = .21), and significantly higher after the implantation of two non-asymmetric ICRS (2.56 +/- 1.28 to 3.08 +/- 1.62 mu m, P = .02 and 2.34 +/- 1.27 to 2.84 +/- 1.62 mu m, P = .02).CONCLUSIONS: Asymmetric ICRS did not improve the outcomes of ICRS implantation in duck keratoconus. However, the implantation of two asymmetric ICRS was more effective than that of two non-asymmetric ICRS for decreasing vertical asymmetry and preventing increases in corneal aberration in the snowman phenotype of keratoconus.