Keratoconus management: our results with hybrid contact lenses

Session Details

Session Title: Cornea Medical I

Session Date/Time: Monday 12/09/2016 | 17:00-18:30

Paper Time: 17:06

Venue: Hall C2

First Author: : S.Marques PORTUGAL

Co Author(s): :    M. Guerra   C. Almeida   H. Pereira   J. Arede           

Abstract Details

Purpose:

Keratoconus (KC) is a bilateral asymmetric corneal ectasia that leads to decreased vision due to progressive myopia and irregular astigmatism. In early disease stages spectacle correction may suffice but contact lenses (CL) are the best non-surgical option for higher degrees of refractive error. Hybrid CL are composed of a rigid gas-permeable (RGP) center surrounded by an hydrogel skirt, thus combining optics of RGP lenses with the stability and tolerability of soft CL. Our purpose is to describe and evaluate the clinical performance of SynergEyes ClearKone® (SynergEyes, Inc., Carlsbad, CA 92008 USA) hybrid CL in KC visual rehabilitation.

Setting:

Cornea and Contact Lens Division - Ophthalmology Department, Centro Hospitalar Tondela-Viseu, Portugal.

Methods:

Clinical and demographic records of all KC patients fitted with ClearKone®CL between June 2013 and January 2016 were reviewed. Previous treatments, indications for hybrid CL fitting, refitting, complication and success rates were evaluated. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) before and after ClearKone®CL fitting was compared. Patients were inquired about comfort and vision-related quality of life, using the Visual Functioning Questionnaire - 25 form.

Results:

Twenty-nine eyes of 18 patients were included. Mean age was 29.33±9.23 years and mean follow-up period was 13.17±8.66 months. In 18 eyes, ClearKone® was the first CL prescribed, while 11 eyes were refitted from other types of CL (mainly due to instability or chronic corneal erosions). Refitting was required in 6 eyes, including 4 vault and 2 skirt changes. Two patients (3 eyes) discontinued lens use because of discomfort or unsatisfactory vision. BCVA improved significantly from 0.47±0.37logMAR (with glasses or CL) to 0.14±0.08logMAR (p<0.001) after ClearKone®fitting.

Conclusions:

Hybrid contact lenses are a safe and effective option for visual rehabilitation in KC patients. When correctly fitted and adapted, visual acuity significantly improves with overall good tolerability. Therefore, a CL trial should always precede surgery in these patients.

Financial Disclosure:

NONE