Supraciliary contraction segments: A new method for the treatment of presbyopia

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of supraciliary contraction segment implants (SCSIs) for the treatment of presbyopia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective, non-comparative study comprised 10 eyes from five phakic and emmetropic 50-year-old subjects. Preoperative and postoperative near and distance visual acuity, topography, axial length, pachymetry, and intraocular pressure were analyzed. A 5.32-mm long and 0.85-mm thick piece of polymethyl methacrylat (PMMA) and a 5.32-mm long or 0.55-mm thick dried hydrophilic SCSI were placed within the scleral tunnels that were created 2 mm away from the limbus. The 500–550 μm deep tunnels were parallel to the limbus and four segments were implanted per eye. The SCSIs were entirely placed at a depth of approximately 85% in the sclera. RESULTS: The uncorrected distance visual acuity was similar before and after the surgery (0.00 logMAR). The monocular mean uncorrected near visual acuity (UNVA) was 0.5 ± 0.0 before surgery, 0.12 ± 0.10 logMAR at 1 month after surgery, 0.16 ± 0.18 logMAR at 3 months after surgery, and 0.29 ± 0.16 logMAR at the 18-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: Despite obtaining satisfactory results at 6 months after the surgery, a follow-up of the SCSI intervention at 18 months revealed a regression of the early post-op UNVA improvement caused by a progressive outward movement of SCSIs.