Chronic pain after Intacs implantation

A 39-year-old woman developed corneal ectasia after laser in situ keratomileusis. Intracorneal ring segments (Intacs, Addition Technology, Inc.) were placed in the left eye in November 2004. Postoperatively, inferior topographic steepening decreased significantly and a rigid gas-permeable lens yielded 20/25 visual acuity. However, the patient reported persistent discomfort that did not improve with topical medications or a bandage contact lens. In May 2005, confocal microscopy demonstrated a corneal nerve in direct contact with the inferior segment. Both segments were removed, and after removal, the patient reported complete resolution of the pain.