Complicaciones de la utilización de anillos intraestromales de Ferrara en el tratamiento del queratocono

Purpose: Report complications presented in keratoconus patients treated with Ferrara intrastromal ring segments. Method: A retrospective, descriptive, observational study was carried out in the Ophthalmology Center of the Hospital San José Tec de Monterrey-Escuela de Medicina Tec de Monterrey during the period from January 2005 to December 2006. Ferrara intrastromal ring segments were implanted in 109 patients diagnosed with keratoconus. Post-surgical complications were registered. Results: 109 eyes were included. Mean age was 31 years; sex distribution was 56 male, 41 female. Complications were reported in 13 eyes (11.9%). The most frequent complications were ring extrusion in 4 eyes (3.7%) followed by infectious keratitis in 3 eyes (2.8%). The following complications were also reported: two anterior chamber perforations during incision (1.8%); superficial migration in two eyes (1.8%); superficial ulcer in one eye (0.9%); and an inferior paracentral leukoma (0.9%). Intracorneal deposits were seen in 65%. Conclusion: In general, complications presented with the use of Ferrara intrastromal rings were similar with those reported by other authors; with even a fewer prevalence in a greater study population (109 eyes). However, it is important to take into account the complication rate of 11.9% when discussing this management option with patients.