[Keratoconus: what happens with older patients?].

Introduction: Keratoconus is a degenerative corneal disease that is most often seen in young patients. The object of the present study was to analyze the demography of keratoconus patients.

Patients And Methods: We conducted a prospective study at Bordeaux University Hospital from January 2001 to September 2001.

Implantation of Intacs and a refractive intraocular lens to correct keratoconus.

We report a case of Intacs implantation for keratoconus followed by the implantation of an anterior chamber phakic refractive lens to correct a -8.25 diopter residual error.

Current surgical options for keratoconus.

The treatment of keratoconus is partly dependent on the severity of the disease process. When contact lenses fail because the patient is intolerant or they do not provide sufficient acuity to meet the patient's needs, penetrating keratoplasty is the usual surgical modality for adequate visual rehabilitation. Keratoconus is considered a contraindication to incisional refractive surgery such as radial keratotomy and laser in situ keratomileusis because of the corneal instability conferred by these procedures.

S/e-PTFE episcleral buckling implants: an experimental and histopathologic study.

To investigate tissue changes induced by the implantation of a silicone band coated with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (S/e-PTFE) used as scleral buckling, an experimental and histopathological study was performed in rabbits. The right eyes of eight rabbits were implanted for 28-85 days with S/e-PTFE. No complications were encountered in any of the eyes, so histopathological examinations could be performed.

Utilization of refractive surgery technology in keratoconus and corneal transplants.

Keratoconus is considered a contraindication for refractive surgery because of the potential corneal instability following surgery. On the other hand, penetrating keratoplasty is the usual surgical modality when the keratoconic patient cannot tolerate a contact lens. In some selected cases, when the central cornea is still transparent, refractive surgical procedures, particularly Intacs implantation, may be used to help the patient to improve visual function.