Detecting True Change in Keratoconus after Intracorneal Ring Segment Implantation

Confirming the progression of keratoconus is of paramount relevance to providing the appropriate treatment. Real change should be considered consistent over time. It must be greater than the variability of the measurement of the device used to monitor the cornea. The present study aimed to assess the intraobserver repeatability and intersession reproducibility of a Scheimpflug camera in measuring corneal parameters in virgin keratoconus and intrastromal corneal ring segments (ICRS) implantation eyes to discriminate real change from measurement noise. Sixty keratoconus and 30 ICRS eyes were included. Corneal parameters were determined in three consecutive measurements and were repeated 2 weeks later. The precision within the same session for all parameters was better in the keratoconic eyes, with mean repeatability limits 33% narrower (range 13% to 55%) compared with ICRS eyes. Mean reproducibility limits were 16% narrower (range +48% to -45%) compared with ICRS eyes. The cutoff values to consider a real corneal shape change were lower for virgin keratoconic than for ICRS, except for the thinnest corneal thickness and Stage C (ABCD system), which were the opposite. Corneal tomography measurements in ICRS eyes showed worse accuracy than in virgin keratoconus, which should be taken into account by practitioners in patients' follow up.

Automated summary

Confirming the progression of keratoconus is crucial for proper treatment, and it should exceed the variability of corneal monitoring devices to be considered real change. This study aimed to evaluate the repeatability and reproducibility of a Scheimpflug camera in measuring corneal parameters in keratoconus and ICRS eyes. The results showed better precision and narrower limits of repeatability and reproducibility in keratoconus eyes compared to ICRS eyes. The cutoff values to determine genuine corneal shape change were different between keratoconus and ICRS eyes, and corneal tomography measurements were less accurate in ICRS eyes.