Management of pellucid marginal degeneration with intracorneal ring segments.

PURPOSE: To present intracorneal ring segments for potential management of pellucid marginal degeneration.

METHODS: A 41-year-old man with pellucid marginal degeneration with poor visual acuity due to irregular astigmatism was treated with Intacs microthin insert (KeraVision, Fremont, Calif) in the left eye.

RESULTS: Uncorrected visual acuity improved from 2/60 to 6/60 following the procedure. The procedure completely eliminated myopia of -8.00 diopters and improved the irregularity of the astigmatism, although it did not change its magnitude.

CONCLUSIONS: Insertion of the intracorneal ring segment improves visual acuity in pellucid marginal degeneration by flattening the central corneal protrusion, thus reducing myopia and improving the astigmatism irregularity.