Variations on the Degree of High Order Corneal Optical Aberrations in Patients Diagnosed with Corneal Ectasia with Intrastromal Rings Implanted

Abstract

<em><strong>Objective:</strong></em> To identify whether there are significant variations in the degree of higher-order corneal aberrations after implantation of intrastromal rings in patients diagnosed with corneal ectasia. <em><strong>Materials and methods:</strong></em> An analytical and longitudinal study of intervention in patients over 18 years was carried out. The refractive state was evaluated, as well as the visual acuity measured by logmar; the topographic keratometry, the corneal optical aberrations coma, the trifoid, the spherical and the Root Mean Square High Order (rms Ho), by the Keratron Scout topograph, and the visual quality through Mars letters test for contrast sensitivity. All of this was done in three times before surgery, first and third post-op months. Results: In 39 eyes of 26 patients evaluated before, after one and three months after the implantation, clinical differences were significant, though not statistical: a) visual acuity was increased with no correction, b) there was a decrease in spherical and cylindrical values, c) flattening in K1 and K2, d) differences in the degree of high order optical aberrations of cornea after the procedure, e) a better visual quality for these patients and f) use of ophthalmic lenses with a greater tolerance. <em><strong>Conclusion:</strong></em> The optical aberrations of the anterior surface of the cornea do not have a statistically significant difference before or after the implantation of intrastromal segments, although there are changes at a clinical level and in magnitude.