Effects of single-segment Intacs implantation on visual acuity and corneal topographic indices of keratoconus

PURPOSE: To assess the changes in visual acuity and topographic indices after implantation of single-segment Intacs. METHODS: Forty-two keratoconic eyes received Femtosecond-assisted single-segment Intacs. Uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) and best spectacle corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), refractive error, keratometry (K1, K2, Km, and KMax.), and seven Pentacam measured topographical indices; index of surface variance (ISV), index of vertical asymmetry (IVA), keratoconus index (KI), central keratoconus index (CKI), index of height asymmetry (IHA), index of height decentration (IHD), and minimum radius of curvature (R Min) were assessed 4 months after surgery. Correlations between changes of visual acuity and topographical indices changes were evaluated. RESULTS: UDVA increased from 0.92 ± 0.35 to 0.49 ± 0.31 logMAR (P < 0.001), and BSCVA increased from 0.39 ± 0.15 to 0.23 ± 0.11 logMAR (P < 0.001). Subjective refraction spherical equivalent (SRSE) decreased from −3.92 ± 1.66 diopters (D) to −2.00 ± 1.51 D (P < 0.001). Mean central Keratometry decreased 2.16 ± 1.09 D from the preoperative readings (P < 0.001). All Pentacam topographical indices except CKI significantly improved (for IHA P = 0.046, for five others P < 0.001). The correlation between improvement in topographical indices and visual acuity improvements was not week. CONCLUSION: Intacs implantation in keratoconic eyes increased visual acuity and made corneal shape less irregular. However, the improvements of visual acuity and corneal shape were not strongly correlated.