Intracorneal Ring Segment Explantation After Intracorneal Ring Segment Implantation Combined With Same-Day Corneal Collagen Crosslinking in Keratoconus

PURPOSE:To report the outcome and the reversibility of refractive outcomes after intrastromal corneal ring segment (ICRS) explantation in patients with keratoconus treated with ICRS implantation and same-day collagen crosslinking (CXL). METHODS:This is a retrospective review of ICRS explantation in 3 eyes of 3 patients with keratoconus that had undergone femtosecond laser–enabled placement of paired ICRS (Intacs) with same-day CXL by a single surgeon between 2008 and 2011. The main outcome measures included baseline/preexplantation/postexplantation visual acuity, refractive error, keratometry, and higher order aberrations. RESULTS:None of the patients lost best-corrected distance visual acuity lines. ICRS can be safely and easily explanted from keratoconic eyes with previous CXL. Some of the topographic benefits gained from ICRS implantation may persist after explantation. CONCLUSIONS:Despite the reversal of refractive outcomes, the preservation of topographic changes may occur in some cases after the explantation of 1 or both the segments in patients with keratoconus treated with ICRS implantation with same-day CXL.