Effect of age on outcomes in patients with keratoconus treated by intacs using a femtosecond laser

PURPOSE: To compare the response to Intacs treatment in different age groups of patients with keratoconus. METHODS: One hundred nine eyes with keratoconus treated with Intacs by using femtosecond laser were divided into three groups according to age: group 1, 13 to 19 years old (n=20); group 2, 20 to 35 years old (n=75), and group 3, 35 to 56 years old (n=14). All patients had clear central corneas and were contact lens intolerant. Pre- and postoperative examination data including uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), mean refraction spherical equivalent (MRSE), and K-readings were evaluated. Pre- and postoperative corneal topographies were examined. Visual acuities were detected by Snellen chart. Postoperative follow-up was 1 year. RESULTS: The improvement in UCVA, BSCVA, MRSE, and K-readings postoperatively in each group was statistically significant. The pre- and postoperative differences in UCVA (P=.930), BSCVA (P=.470), MRSE (P=.205), and K-readings (P=.545) were similar among groups. CONCLUSIONS: Intacs treatment is safe and effective in all age groups. Therefore, it may be an alternative treatment to penetrating keratoplasty in adolescent patients with keratoconus who are intolerant of contact lenses.