Spontaneous improvement of channel deposits following Intacs implantation.

PURPOSE: To report a case of filamentous crystalline channel deposits and stromal haze extending outside the channel, which continued to worsen more than 3 years after implantation before eventually improving without significant intervention.

METHODS

A 48-year-old woman presented for refractive surgery evaluation. Uncorrected visual acuity was 20/400 in both eyes. Ocular history was significant for mild blepharitis but was otherwise normal. Approximately 4 months after bilateral Intacs (KeraVision) implantation, the patient developed intrachannel deposits in both eyes, which had increased significantly at 3-year follow-up.

RESULTS

The intrachannel deposits and haze spontaneously improved, and 9 years following implantation few deposits and little haze remained.

CONCLUSIONS

Channel deposits, opacification, and haze are widely reported complications following the implantation of intrastromal corneal ring segments. Such deposits and opacifications are generally not clinically significant and may resolve spontaneously.