{Reference Type}: Multicenter Study
{Title}: Late-onset distal-apical intracorneal ring-segments keratopathy: an analysis of a large sample in a multicenter study.
{Author}: Albertazzi R;Rocha-de-Lossada C;Perrone LD;Valvecchia G;Perrone F;Ferlini L;Taboada D;Roude AL;
{Journal}: Int Ophthalmol
{Volume}: 43
{Issue}: 11
{Year}: 2023 Nov 2
{Factor}: 2.029
{DOI}: 10.1007/s10792-023-02793-0
{Abstract}: <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>To review the prevalence and describe the characteristics, of cases with late-onset intracorneal ring segments (ICRS) keratopathy in a multicenter study.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>A retrospective multicentric case-series study was performed in a specialized keratoconus service, from Buenos Aires, Argentina. An electronic clinical chart from patients with ICRS keratopathy between January 1999 and January 2019 was reviewed. We included cases with late-onset distal-apical ICRS keratopathy, which was defined as a persistent corneal lesion developed 12 months or later after implantation, located over, around, or closer to the ICRS. All the surgeries were performed by a manual corneal tunnel creation technique. Samples were taken to rule out infectious etiology.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>From 5217 eyes that underwent ICRS implantation, 13 cases (0.24%) were detected. The keratopathy onset was 72 ± 42.98 months (29-133) after ICRS implantation. Cultures were negative in all cases. An ICRS exchange was made for five cases in stage I and four in stage II. Four cases presented with partial ICRS extrusion in stage III. ICRS exchange was possible in two of them and a penetration keratoplasty was necessary for the rest. All cases remained stable 1 year after surgical procedures.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>A late-onset distal-apical ICRS keratopathy was detected with low prevalence (0.24%) in a large sample. It was classified into three stages according to its severity. Different treatments were selected for each stage, obtaining stable results 1 year after treatment.