Industry

Keep planning simple for CAIRS procedures

Healio Optometry4d ago1 min read

KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. — Surgeons who perform corneal allogenic intrastromal ring segment procedures should keep planning simple, according to a speaker at Kiawah Eye & Retina.In a presentation, Neel R. Desai, MD, shared pearls and what he wished he knew before he started using corneal allogenic intrastromal ring segments (CAIRS) in patients with keratoconus, specifically when placing the ring segments using manual dissection.“When you conceptually think about dissecting or cross planes with a femtosecond laser, it is indiscriminate with respect to the femtosecond laser plane being a fixed

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AI Summary

Quick Take

At the Kiawah Eye & Retina meeting, Dr. Neel R. Desai advised surgeons to simplify their planning for corneal allogenic intrastromal ring segment (CAIRS) procedures in keratoconus patients. He specifically emphasized the technical nuances of manual dissection versus femtosecond laser-assisted placement, noting that the laser operates on a fixed, indiscriminate plane.

Why It Matters

As the industry shifts toward allogenic tissue like CAIRS to avoid the complications associated with synthetic implants—such as extrusion or corneal melting—refining the surgical technique is paramount. Understanding the mechanical differences between manual and laser-assisted channel creation allows surgeons to better navigate the ectatic cornea's unique geometry. Simplifying the planning process is essential for broader adoption of this tissue-based approach, which offers a potentially safer way to regularize the corneal surface in progressive keratoconus.

Key Details

Dr. Neel R. Desai shared clinical pearls and lessons learned from his early experience implementing CAIRS for keratoconus.
The presentation highlighted a preference for keeping surgical planning simple rather than over-complicating the approach.
A critical distinction was made between manual dissection and femtosecond laser-assisted channel creation, specifically regarding how they interact with corneal planes.
The femtosecond laser is described as having a fixed, indiscriminate plane, which surgeons must account for when planning segment depth and placement.

Practice Implications

Surgeons should recognize that manual dissection offers different tactile feedback and plane navigation compared to the fixed depth of a femtosecond laser. When beginning to perform CAIRS, clinicians should focus on simplified planning models to manage the learning curve and ensure predictable outcomes in corneal reshaping.

Who's Affected

Cornea SpecialistsRefractive SurgeonsOptometrists managing keratoconus

Evidence StrengthPreliminary

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