Severe Corneal Vascularization after Intacs Implantation and Rigid Contact Lens Use for the Treatment of Keratoconus.

Purpose: To present a case of unilateral development of severe corneal vascularization in the eye of a keratoconic patient implanted with Intacs microthin prescription inserts and concurrent bilateral use of rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lenses. Methods: A 20-year-old male underwent unilateral implantation of Intacs in his right eye for treatment of keratoconus and five years later began the use of RGP contact lens. In the left eye the patient continued the use of RGP contact lens. Results: Ten years after implantation the patient had developed severe central corneal neovascularization in the eye treated with Intacs implantation that recessed one month after discontinuing contact lens use. In the fellow eye he had developed only mild peripheral neovascularization. Conclusions: Central corneal vascularization is a possible side-effect in patients treated with both Intacs implantation and RGP contact lens fitting that necessitates long term follow-up of such patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]