Dz. Reinstein et al., Epithelial and stromal changes induced by intacs examined by three-dimensional very high-frequency digital ultrasound, J REFRACT S, 17(3), 2001, pp. 310-318
PURPOSE: To examine epithelial and stromal layers by three-dimensional very
high-frequency (VHF) digital ultrasound scanning before and after implanta
tion of Intacs (intracorneal ring segments [ICRS]).
METHODS: Three-dimensional scanning was performed in five eyes before and 3
months after Intacs insertion. Digital signal processing techniques provid
ed high-resolution B-scan imaging and I-scan traces for high-precision (1-m
um) three-dimensional pachymetry. Thickness maps of individual corneal laye
rs were constructed of the epithelium, stroma, and full cornea before and a
fter surgery. Difference maps for epithelium and stroma were produced to ex
amine anatomical changes in the thickness profile induced in each layer and
correlate these to refractive changes.
RESULTS: B-scan examination revealed stromal and epithelial anatomy anterio
r and adjacent to the Intac. Ring depth could be measured topographically.
There was stromal lamellar displacement by the ring segments that produced
a concave anterior stromal groove within an annulus central to the ring. Ep
ithelial filling of this concavity was shown in three dimensions in such a
way as to produce orthogonally asymmetrical flattening of the corneal surfa
ce, thus potentially accounting for induced astigmatism. Mapping of the cen
tral stroma demonstrated thickening, potentially also accounting for astigm
atic changes ascribable to orthogonal asymmetry.
CONCLUSIONS: VHF digital ultrasound scanning provided imaging and three-dim
ensional thickness mapping of corneal layers, enabling anatomical evaluatio
n of the changes induced in the cornea by Intacs.