Optical Quality and Visual Outcomes in Eyes Implanted With Corneal Hydrogel Inlay
Purpose
To conduct a feasibility study of the visual outcomes and optical quality of corneal hydrogel inlay as a treatment for emmetropic presbyopia.
Methods
The corneal hydrogel inlay was implanted on the corneal stromal bed beneath a keratotomy fl ap in 15 nondominant eyes of 15 patients. The implant is designed to cause a change in the curvature of the overlying cornea, with a subsequent multifocal change in refractive power. The follow-up was 3months. Changes iin visual acuity, refraction, and corneal and ocular wavefront aberrations using OPD scan III (4mm, 5mm, 6mm pupil) were recorded and analyzed.
Results
All eyes with an inlay achieved an uncorrected near visual acuity (UNVA) of 20/32 or better by the 1-week postoperative examination and at every visit thereafter. The mean monocular and binocular UNVA was 20/30 or better at all visits. The mean binocular uncorrected distance visual acuity improved significantly from 20/53 preoperatively to 20/19 postoperatively (P<0.05). Statistically significant changes were observed in higher-order aberrations (HOAs), coma-like aberrations, and the primary spherical aberration coefficient Z(4,0) (P<0.05).
Conclusion
The hydrogel corneal inlay improved uncorrected near and intermediate visual acuity in patients with emmetropic presbyopia, with high patient satisfaction and little effect on distance visual acuity.