Purpose: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Ferrara intra-corneal ring segments in improving visual acuity, manifest refraction and keratometry readings in patients with keratoconus.
Material and method: 42 eyes of 33 patients (mean age 28.19 ± 6.02 years) with keratoconus were included in our retrospective study. All patients were treated with Ferrara intra-corneal ring segments implantation, during the period March 2006–May 2009, in “Optilens” Eye Clinic, Cluj Napoca. The observed parameters were: uncorrected visual acuity, best spectacle-corrected visual acuity, manifest refraction, corneal topographic keratometry values. The postperative values were referred to the preoperative data. The mean follow up time was 21.12 ± 9.76 months.
Results: Comparative preoperative and postoperative results showed statistically significant increases of uncorrected visual acuity, best spectacle corrected visual acuity and reduction of keratometry values: maximal K, minimal K, mean K and of the manifest refractive errors: mean sphere, mean spherical equivalent, mean cylinder.
Conclusions: Ferrara Intra-corneal ring segments implantation is an effective treatment option for keratoconus. This procedure is less invasive than keratoplasty, improves significantly visual acuity, refraction, keratometry and helps to avoid or delay the need for corneal transplant procedure.