Thermokeratoplasty for keratoconus

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Corneal Surgery
• Vision Science

Background:

• Keratoconus is a progressive eye condition causing blurred vision.
• Surgical interventions are explored to manage advanced keratoconus.
• Thermokeratoplasty offers a potential treatment option for corneal reshaping.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the efficacy and outcomes of thermokeratoplasty in treating keratoconus.
• To evaluate visual acuity changes and the need for further interventions post-procedure.

Main Methods:

• Thermokeratoplasty was performed on 29 eyes diagnosed with keratoconus.
• Patient follow-up ranged from under four months to 24 months.
• Visual acuity was a primary outcome measure.

Main Results:

• Twelve patients achieved visual acuity exceeding 6/12 (20/40) post-procedure.
• A significant portion of patients (five) ultimately required corneal transplantation.
• Outcomes varied, with a notable subset experiencing vision improvement.

Conclusions:

• Thermokeratoplasty can lead to improved visual acuity in some keratoconus patients.
• The procedure carries a risk of necessitating corneal transplantation.
• Further research into patient selection and long-term outcomes is warranted.