Central and peripheral corneal iron deposits after implantation of a small-aperture corneal inlay for correction of presbyopia.

PURPOSE: To describe central and peripheral corneal iron deposition after implantation of the AcuFocus corneal inlay (ACI 7000, AcuFocus Inc) for the surgical correction of presbyopia.

METHODS

Patients who underwent inlay implantation between September 2006 and May 2007 and displaying corneal iron deposits were enrolled in the study.

RESULTS

Eighteen (56%) eyes of 32 patients developed corneal iron deposition within 36 months after corneal inlay implantation. One (5.5%) eye had a central spot-like iron deposition only, 10 (55.5%) eyes had formation of deposits in a half-moon shape in the inferior cornea parallel to the outer margin of the inlay or a complete circular ring formation, and 7 (39%) eyes demonstrated deposits in both areas. The median interval between implantation and diagnosis of corneal iron deposition was 18 ± 9 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Corneal iron deposition can develop in different shapes after implantation of the small-aperture ACI 7000. Alterations in tear film thickness, its composition, and corneal epithelial basal cell storage, resulting from changes in corneal topography, may be contributing factors for these specific iron depositions.