Cornealring is a medical device used to treat keratoconus and other corneal diseases. It comprises several semi-circular segments of an inert material, the polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), with length and thickness designed to fit the specific features of the eye. The device is clear so it is not easily seen at naked eye.
Cornealring is implanted at the cornea stroma, through a simple surgical procedure lasting a few minutes and carried out under topical anesthesia (only eye drops). The cornea structure is kept unchanged, sparing its optical zone (central), which is its most noble region.
The goals of this type of surgery are:
- To correct the cornea and improve the eye visual corrected acuity, thus easing contact lenses fitting.
- To hold or slow progression of corneal diseases causing the cornea to become more and more curved and irregular.
The patient shows a very high satisfaction level following the Cornealring implantation. However, if results are not satisfactory, this type of procedure has the great advantage of being reversible and readjustable. Also, the procedure does not preclude future transplantation, if needed.