Long-term outcomes after monocular corneal inlay implantation for the surgical compensation of presbyopia.

PURPOSE To evaluate long-term outcomes of small-aperture corneal inlay implantation for the surgical compensation of presbyopia. SETTING Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria. DESIGN Prospective interventional cohort study. METHODS Monocular implantation of a Kamra small-aperture inlay (model ACI7000) (1.6 mm central aperture) was performed in emmetropic presbyopic eyes. The preoperative and postoperative parameters included monocular and binocular uncorrected (UDVA) and corrected (CDVA) distance visual acuities, uncorrected intermediate visual acuity (UIVA), and uncorrected (UNVA) and corrected (CNVA) near visual acuities; refraction; patient satisfaction; and complications. RESULTS From September 4, 2006, to May 21, 2007, a small-aperture inlay (1.6 mm central aperture) was implanted in 32 emmetropic presbyopic eyes. The mean binocular uncorrected visual acuities improved as follows: UNVA from Jaeger (J) 6 ± 1.2 lines (∼20/50) to J2 ± 1.8 lines (∼20/25) (P < .001) and UIVA from 0.2 logMAR ± 1.3 lines (∼20/32) to 0.1 logMAR ± 1.3 lines (∼20/25) (P = .04). The UDVA decreased from -0.2 logMAR ± 0.2 lines (∼20/12.5) to -0.1 logMAR ± 0.6 lines (∼20/16) (P < .001). At 60 months, 74.2% of patients had a UNVA of J3 (∼20/32) or better, 87.1% had a UIVA of 0.2 logMAR (∼20/32) or better, and 93.5% had a UDVA of 0.0 logMAR (∼20/20) or better. One inlay was removed after 36 months because of patient dissatisfaction with vision after a hyperopic shift in the surgical eye, with no loss of CDVA or CNVA 2 years after removal. CONCLUSION Long-term results of monocular corneal inlay implantation indicate increased UNVA and UIVA and slightly compromised UDVA in emmetropic presbyopic eyes. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE Dr. Grabner was reimbursed for travel expenses from Acufocus. Dr. Riha is a consultant to Acufocus. No other author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.