Corneal tissue lenticules from ReLEx SMILE for the correction of keratoconus: case reports

Session Details

Session Title: Presented Poster Session: Refractive

Venue: Poster Village: Pod 3

First Author: : Y.Klimesova CZECH REPUBLIC

Co Author(s): :    P. Studeny   N. Magdalena                    

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To verify the possibility of using corneal lenticules obtained during refractive surgery ReLEx SMILE for the correction of keratoconus.

Setting:

Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Kralovske Vinohrady, Prague, Czech Republic

Methods:

Currently the treatment of keratoconus is relatively difficult. The only technology for may stopping the progression is corneal cross-linking (CXL). Another method is insertion of segments or rings into the cornea. Unfortunately, all of these methods don´t replace missing tissue. The last option is keratoplasty. ReLEx SMILE is a refractive surgery, in which a lenticule of corneal tissue is cut within the cornea by femtosecond laser. It is basically a waste product. We believe that it should be possible to use such lenticules in patients with keratoconus to postpone the need of keratoplasty.

Results:

We present first two cases of patients who underwent successful transplantation of corneal lenticule as a treatment of keratoconus.

Conclusions:

Usage of corneal tissue lenticules from ReLEx SMILE seems to be safe and effective to correct keratoconus. It replaces missing corneal tissue and thus to correct the curvature of the cornea. It may be considered as a alternative method prior to a keratoplasty.

Financial Disclosure:

None