Late extrusion of intrastromal corneal ring segments: A report of two cases

Abstract

Purpose: To report two cases of patients with late extrusion following uneventful implantation of intrastromal corneal ring segments (ICRS) for myopia. Observations: Two patients with previously implanted ICRS for low myopia presented with spontaneous onset of extrusion of their ICRS, one at 7 years post-operatively and the other at 17 and 20 years. Both cases underwent explantation and maintained excellent best-corrected visual acuity. These cases represent the longest reported intervals between implantation of the ICRS and subsequent extrusion. Conclusions and importance: Late extrusion can occur many years following implantation of ICRS, even in eyes without pre-existing thinning or ectasia. The technique for explantation described herein can result in favorable clinical outcomes in such cases. These cases demonstrate the importance of long-term follow up of eyes that have undergone ICRS implantation.

Keywords

• Intrastromal corneal ring segments
• Intracorneal rings
• Extrusion
• Complications
• Refractive surgery
• Myopia