Intrastromal corneal ring, a new refractive surgical technique to decrease myopia. Experimental and clinical results.

From among the wide range of keratorefractive operations, the authors applied the intrastromal corneal ring (ICR) technique to treat myopia. The results of operations performed on dogs' eyes were evaluated using slit lamp investigations, cornea topography and histological investigations. In the possession of favourable results, this kind of operation was successfully performed on three patients suffering from expressed unilateral myopia, too. The desired optical results (10.0 dioptres) proved to be permanent 3-10 months after surgery and were demonstrated by the patients' visual acuity as well as cornea topographic examinations. The surrounding of the PMMA ring situated intrastromally and the substance of the cornea remained calm and clear, respectively. The authors think that the ICR technique can successfully be applied in the treatment of myopia similarly to refractive surgical interventions such as radial keratotomy (RK) and excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), which are widely used methods these days.