Epikeratophakia for treatment of keratoconus.

Epikeratophakia has been applied for the correction of aphakia in children and adults as well as for the treatment of keratoconus to correct the refractive errors accompanied by these conditions. In this paper we present preliminary results of the outcome of ten consecutive keratoconus patients who were subjected to epikeratophakia. The patients suffered from advanced keratoconus without any major haziness in the optic area of the cornea, and they had become unable to tolerate contact lenses. Follow-up period varied form 1 to 4 months. Two minor complications were verified (one erosion and one partly detached lenticule) but these were managed and further healing was without problems. The keratometry values were markedly changed by the operation. The improval of the visual acuity after the operation was accompanied by the postoperative increase in the transparency of the lenticule. Epikeratophakia seems to be a safe and relatively simple method for the treatment of keratoconus.