Visual quality with corneo-scleral contact lenses after intracorneal ring segment (ICRS) implantation for keratoconus management.

Purpose: To evaluate the visual quality results when fitting a corneo-scleral contact lens (CScL) after intracorneal ring segment (ICRS) implantation for keratoconus management.

Methods: Twenty-seven eyes of 27 patients with keratoconus underwent ICRS implantation and had CScL fitted as their visual quality was unsatisfactory with their spectacles or contact lenses. Patients received a complete eye examination, refraction and visual acuity assessment, anterior eye biomicroscopy, ocular fundus examination, corneal topographic analysis, endothelial-cell count, and visual quality assessment using contrast sensitivity and aberrometry tests. A diagnostic trial set was used in the fitting process, and patients were assessed according to a standardised methodology, including subjective visual quality and comfort, and contact lens usage time. The follow-up period was one year.

Results: After fitting CScL, log-MAR visual acuity values improved significantly in relation to the best spectacle-corrected vision (0.22 ± 0.17 vs 0.00 ± 0.12; p < 0.001). Total high-order aberrations decreased 33% (2.62 ± 1.31 vs 1.75 ± 1.81 μm; p < 0.009) and the spatial frequencies of contrast sensitivity all improved (all p < 0.05). Furthermore, 70.37% of patients reported high ratings of subjective visual quality (favourable and very favourable) and prolonged usage times (11.78 ± 3.93 h). After wearing CScL for one year, no adverse ocular effects or clinically relevant changes in corneal parameters, visual quality, comfort ratings or usage time were found.

Conclusion: This CScL appears to be an alternative reasonable option for keratoconic eyes with ICRS placement, providing an improvement in subjective visual quality.