Intrastromal corneal ring segments for post-LASIK ectasia complicated by persistent pain

A 33-year-old man who was 2 years post laser in situ keratomileusis was found to have corneal ectasia. He was intolerant of rigid gas-permeable contact lenses and eventually chose to have placement of intrastromal corneal ring segments (ICRS) (Intacs) in the right eye. Two ICRS were implanted without complication, and postoperative examination showed improved visual acuity and decreased corneal elevation on scanning-slit tomography imaging. However, over the following 2 months, he complained of persistent pain in the right eye. Confocal microscopy showed a corneal nerve touching the superonasal ICRS. The ICRS was removed, and shortly thereafter the patient's pain resolved.