Question 1

What is the success rate of the surgery?

Accepted Answer

95% of patients who undergo Ferrara Ring Implantation do not need a corneal transplant.

Question 2

Do changes in corneal shape caused by Ferrara ring implants prevent or hinder the use of contact lenses?

Accepted Answer

In some cases, scleral lenses need to be fitted. In most cases, glasses or soft contact lenses are sufficient.

Question 3

Does the Ferrara ring implant cause any medium- or long-term side effects?

Accepted Answer

No. The surgical technique, when applied correctly, is always beneficial to the cornea.

Question 4

Can complications occur during surgery?

Accepted Answer

Complications related to the surgical technique, such as superficial implant placement, can result in spontaneous extrusion of the ring. Malpositioning of the segments can cause astigmatism, but this is rarely observed. Complications related to postoperative care can occur when the patient rubs their eyes, which may lead to movement of the segment, spontaneous extrusion, or infection.

Question 5

When do complications occur and what are the consequences for the patient?

Accepted Answer

In general, all complications are reversible with the removal or repositioning of the Ferrara Ring segments.

Question 6

How often do complications occur?

Accepted Answer

Complications are rare during surgery. The rate of segment removal is less than 4% after the procedure. Infections present more serious complications and may result in the need for a corneal transplant. Fortunately, infections were observed in less than 0.08% of cases.

Question 7

How do Ferrara ring implants and corneal transplants compare?

Accepted Answer

Corneal transplantation requires a long recovery period, approximately 12 months. This transplant also carries a risk of rejection and does not prevent keratoconus from recurring. In most cases, the use of glasses or contact lenses is necessary, and the patient may also be eligible for Ferrara Ring Implantation to correct high degrees of irregular astigmatism that can arise from poor transplant recovery.

Question 8

What are the advantages of Ferrara ring implantation?

Accepted Answer

• Rapid patient recovery;• Compatibility of the ring material and corneal tissue;• If contact lenses are needed, adaptation is easy;• Reversibility;• The Ferrara Ring Implant slows or stops the progression of the disease for an indefinite period of time.

Question 9

What is the success rate of the surgical procedure, and how does it vary for each patient?

Accepted Answer

The success rate depends on the severity of the keratoconus. The earlier the surgery is performed, the greater the chances of success. In early cases, the success rate is greater than 95%.

Question 10

Is the Ferrara ring also indicated for myopia?

Accepted Answer

The Ferrara Ring Implant flattens and regularizes the surface of the cornea, thus correcting deformities such as myopia and astigmatism. The Ferrara Ring can also be used as a complementary technique to laser or phakic lenses for the correction of high myopia.

Question 11

When does a patient regain their vision after surgery?

Accepted Answer

Vision recovery is rapid. The day after surgery, vision already shows improvement and stabilizes after three months. During this period, fluctuations in vision quality may occur. In the morning, vision may be good, but as the day progresses, it may become more blurry. A prescription for glasses or contact lenses may be necessary to complete the correction. In the meantime, vision may remain good or slightly blurry.

Question 12

What are the risks of surgery?

Accepted Answer

There are almost no risks in Ferrara Ring Implant surgery. As with any surgery, infections can occur. In these cases, the Ferrara Ring segment must be removed. Complications are minimal and, most importantly, reversible. This means that the segment can be removed and the cornea recovers its original shape. There is no risk of rejection of the prosthesis.

Question 13

What is the surgery like?

Accepted Answer

The surgical procedure is performed under outpatient care and complete aseptic technique. Local anesthesia is administered via eye drops. Asepsis includes the eye, nose, and eyelid areas. After surgery, a dressing or gauze is used to prevent contact with infectious agents. The procedure is completely painless and takes approximately 10 minutes. The use of antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops allows for a safer and more comfortable postoperative period. The patient can resume their intellectual activities the following day.

Question 14

Does the Ferrara ring replace a corneal transplant?

Accepted Answer

No. The main goal of Ferrara Ring implant surgery is visual rehabilitation. Ferrara Ring implantation can slow the progression of the disease, avoiding the need for a corneal transplant indefinitely.

Question 15

Is there a risk of blurred vision after surgery?

Accepted Answer

Most patients have no complaints regarding night vision. Corrective lenses may be necessary after Ferrara Ring implantation to correct residual refractive errors.

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