Intracorneal rings for the correction of pellucid marginal degeneration

Abstract

We report a case of Intacs(R) (KeraVision) implantation for the correction of pellucid marginal degeneration (PMD). Preoperatively, the patient's uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) was 0.05, the best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) was 0.1, and the refraction was -2.00 -7.00 x 90 in the right eye. The flattest meridian (K1) measured 43.8@104 and the steepest meridian (K2), 51.3@14. Ultrasound pachymetry revealed a thin cornea of 420 micrometers. One month postoperatively, the UCVA was 0.2, the BSCVA was 0.5, and the refraction was -8.00 -7.00 x 50. Contact lens best corrected visual acuity was 0.9; 6 months postoperatively, it improved to 1.0. The use of Intacs to treat PMD seems to be viable and improves visual acuity. The residual error can be corrected with contact lenses.