RESULTS OF KERANATURAL IMPLANTATION IN THE TREATMENT OF KERATOCONUS

Abstract

Purpose – to evaluate the outcomes of KeraNatural allograft implantation in the treatment of keratoconus.

Material and methods
The study included 28 patients (31 eyes) diagnosed with stage III–IV keratoconus who were admitted to the National Ophthalmology Centre named after Academician Zarifa Aliyeva. Intracorneal Keranatural implantation surgery was performed in these patients. Allograft Corneal Ring (KeraNatural) is sterilized corneal tissue obtained from an eye bank (Lions VisionGift, Orlando, USA).

Results
The main planned and expected outcome of the surgery – improvement of visual function – was achieved. Uncorrected visual acuity improved up to threefold (from 0.15 ± 0.03 to 0.42 ± 0.04; p < 0.01), and best corrected visual acuity was optimized (from 0.35 ± 0.04 to 0.74 ± 0.02). The cylindrical (–9.42 ± 0.14 and –3.36 ± 0.14; p > 0.05) and spherical (–10.04 ± 0.11 and –2.88 ± 0.10; p > 0.05) components of refraction also changed.

Conclusion
In conclusion, to truly improve the visual acuity of patients with keratoconus using a biocompatible material, sterile allograft corneal segments were implanted according to the new Istanbul nomogram. The results of this pilot study were found to be comparable with previously published data on intracorneal synthetic segments (ICRS). The findings indicate that this surgical approach is a promising option for the treatment of keratoconus.