Long-Term Outcomes of Bowman Layer Inlay Transplantation for the Treatment of Progressive Keratoconus

Purpose: To report long-term clinical outcomes and estimated success rates after Bowman layer (BL) inlay transplantation in eyes treated for progressive keratoconus (KC). Methods: Thirty-five eyes (29 patients) with progressive KC underwent BL inlay transplantation. Best-corrected spectacle and contact lens visual acuity, Scheimpflug-based corneal tomography [simulated and maximum keratometry (Kmax)], central corneal thickness, thinnest point thickness, complications, and success rate were evaluated up to 8 years postoperatively for the total group and 2 subgroups [group 1: preoperative Kmax > 69 diopter (D) (n = 26); group 2: preoperative Kmax < 69D (n = 9)]. Results: Mean logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution best contact lens–corrected visual acuity for the total group and the 2 subgroups did not change from preoperative up to the last available follow-up (all P > 0.05), whereas best spectacle–corrected visual acuity improved for group 1 (P = 0.03). Group 1 showed an average Kmax reduction of 7D in the first month (P < 0.001) with no further changes up to 8 years postoperatively (P > 0.05), whereas no significant changes were observed in group 2 (all P > 0.05). Postoperative KC progression occurred in 4 eyes (n = 3 group 1, n = 1 group 2) and 1 eye (group 2) underwent retransplantation for unsatisfactory visual performance. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed an estimated success rate of 85% at the 5 to 8 years follow-up in group 1 and of 75% at the 5 to 7 years follow-up for group 2. Conclusions: BL inlay transplantation stabilized KC in most eyes along with preservation of contact lens tolerance up to 8 years postoperatively and may be a successful treatment option, in particular for eyes with progressive advanced KC (Kmax > 69D).

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