INTRASTROMAL CORNEAL RING SEGMENTS

Transcription

1 CLINICAL POLICY INTRASTROMAL CORNEAL RING SEGMENTS Policy Number: VISION T2 Effective Date: April 1, 2013 Table of Contents CONDITIONS OF COVERAGE... COVERAGE RATIONALE BENEFIT CONSIDERATIONS BACKGROUND... CLINICAL EVIDENCE... U.S. FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION... APPLICABLE CODES... REFERENCES... POLICY HISTORY/REVISION INFORMATION... Policy History Revision Information The services described in Oxford policies are subject to the terms, conditions and limitations of the Member's contract or certificate. Unless otherwise stated, Oxford policies do not apply to Medicare Advantage enrollees. Oxford reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to modify policies as necessary without prior written notice unless otherwise required by Oxford's administrative procedures or applicable state law. The term Oxford includes Oxford Health Plans, LLC and all of its subsidiaries as appropriate for these policies. Certain policies may not be applicable to Self-Funded Members and certain insured products. Refer to the Member's plan of benefits or Certificate of Coverage to determine whether coverage is provided or if there are any exclusions or benefit limitations applicable to any of these policies. If there is a difference between any policy and the Member s plan of benefits or Certificate of Coverage, the plan of benefits or Certificate of Coverage will govern. CONDITIONS OF COVERAGE Page Related Policies: None Applicable Lines of Business/ Products Benefit Type Referral Required (Does not apply to non-gatekeeper products) Authorization Required (Precertification always required for inpatient admission) Precertification with Medical Director Review Required Applicable Site(s) of Service (If site of service is not listed, Medical Director review is required) Special Considerations This policy applies to Oxford Commercial plan membership General benefits package No Yes 1 Yes 1,2 Outpatient, Office 1 Precertification is required for services covered under the Member's General Benefits package when performed in the office of a participating provider. For Commercial, precertification is not required, but encouraged for out of network services performed in the office that are covered under the Member's General Benefits package. If precertification is not obtained, Oxford may review for medical necessity after the service is 1

2 Special Considerations (continued) rendered 2 Precertification with review by a Medical Director or their designee is required. Note: The Enrollee-specific benefit document must be reviewed to determine coverage or exclusions. Some health plans may exclude coverage for surgery related to correcting myopia. Refer to the Member's specific Certificate of Coverage, health benefits plan, and/or summary of benefits documentation for additional information. COVERAGE RATIONALE When provided according to U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) labeled indications, intrastromal corneal ring segments (ICRS) implantation is medically necessary for vision correction of mild myopia. Mild myopia is defined as myopia -1.0 to -3.0 diopters. See also the Benefit Considerations section below. The enrollee-specific benefit document must be reviewed to determine coverage or exclusions. Intrastromal corneal ring segments (ICRS) implantation is medically necessary for treatment of keratoconus when used according to FDA labeled indications in patients who meet all of the following criteria: 21 years of age or older, Progressive deterioration of vision such that patients cannot achieve adequate functional vision with eyeglasses or contacts, Clear central cornea, Corneal thickness of 450 microns or greater at the proposed incision site, and Corneal transplantation is the only remaining option to improve vision. Intrastromal corneal ring segments (ICRS) implantation is not medically necessary for the following: Ectasia after laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) or after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and All other indications not listed above as medically necessary. Clinical trials evaluating ICRS implantation for the correction of other visual conditions are inadequate to establish the safety and efficacy of this procedure. The long-term efficacy of ICRS implantation for ectasia after LASIK or PRK has not been established in well designed studies. Additional research is needed to establish the role of ICRS implantation for conditions other than those described as medically necessary. Intrastromal corneal ring segments are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for mild myopia and keratoconus (as a Humanitarian Device Exemption). All other conditions such as post-lasik or post-prk ectasia are not FDA approved indications for intrastromal corneal ring segments. BENEFIT CONSIDERATIONS Most Certificates of Coverage (COC) contain an explicit exclusion for vision correction surgery. For example, intrastromal corneal ring segments (ICRS) used to treat myopia or other refractive errors may be excluded from coverage, but ICRS to treat keratoconus may be covered under the COC. The enrollee-specific benefit document must be reviewed to determine coverage or exclusions. BACKGROUND When eyes are misshapen, vision is affected due to refractive error (i.e., myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism) that prevents images from being focused on the retina. For most patients who have refractive disorders, normal vision can be obtained with corrective aids such as eyeglasses or contact lenses. 2

3 Vision may also be affected by keratoconus, a noninflammatory corneal disorder that affects less than 1% of the general population, with onset in the teen and young adult years. Persons with keratoconus have progressive myopia and astigmatism that develop due to progressive corneal steepening and thinning. Although the cause of this disorder is unknown, it can usually be treated successfully with contact lenses. For patients with more severe disease or those who cannot tolerate contact lenses, surgery may be indicated. The most common surgery for keratoconus is a corneal transplantation procedure such as penetrating keratoplasty. To avoid the maintenance associated with eyeglasses and contact lenses and to avoid the potential complications associated with penetrating keratoplasty, a surgical procedure for the treatment of myopia or keratoconus has been developed. This procedure involves the insertion of two thin, clear, semicircular-shaped, plastic intrastromal corneal ring segments (ICRS) into the cornea of an affected eye through a single corneal incision.. ICRS implantation has also been proposed to restore vision in patients with ectasia (bulging of the cornea caused by complications from laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) or photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) surgery). At present, the Intacs (R) system is the only FDA-approved ICRS. CLINICAL EVIDENCE Myopia: Schanzlin et al. (2001) conducted the largest available study of intrastromal corneal ring segments (ICRS) inserts for myopia, a multicenter, uncontrolled study in which 449 patients each underwent the procedure in one eye. All eyes had low myopia and at baseline, 87% of eyes had an uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) worse than 20/40. Two years after ICRS implantation, 97% of eyes had a UCVA of 20/40 or better and 76% of eyes had a UCVA of 20/20 or better. This result suggests that ICRS inserts improved unaided vision, equal to that which could be achieved with eyeglasses or contacts. Comparing best-spectacle corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) at baseline and 2 years follow-up, the only result reported was that 1% of eyes lost 2 lines of BSCVA. These outcomes at 2 years follow-up did not include the 8% of eyes that underwent insert removal due to unacceptable visual symptoms, dissatisfaction with visual outcome, infection, or other problems. Holmes-Higgin et al. (2002) performed a retrospective analysis of 263 of the patients enrolled by Schanzlin et al. who had reported adverse postoperative visual symptoms or requested removal of inserts, and found that the only statistically significant correlation with fewer symptoms was a mean keratometry greater than 45 diopters at baseline. There were also trends toward fewer symptoms in eyes with the following characteristics: manifest refractive astigmatism of 0.75 to 1.0 diopter, UCVA improvement of at least two lines more than predicted, and pretreatment use of soft contact lenses. Improved patient selection criteria may result in lower rates of insert removal in future studies. The ability of ICRS inserts to provide equal myopia correction to that provided by eyeglasses or contacts was confirmed in a small nonrandomized controlled study. Nio et al. (2003) enrolled 28 patients with low to moderate myopia and assigned 10 patients to insert implantation while the remaining 18 patients continued to use their eyeglasses or contact lenses. Compared with eyeglasses and contact lenses, ICRS inserts provided equal improvements in BCVA or quality of vision. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) issued guidance on the use of corneal implants for the correction of refractive error. The guidance for corneal implants for refractive error states that current evidence shows limited and unpredictable benefit for the use of this procedure. Therefore, corneal implants should not be used for the treatment of refractive error in the absence of other ocular pathology such as keratoconus (NICE, Corneal implants for the correction of refractive error, 2007). Professional Societies American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO): A technology assessment performed by the 3

4 AAO has concluded that ICRS inserts are reasonably safe and effective for the treatment of mild myopia (-1.0 to -3.0 diopters) when patients have stable manifest refraction and less than 1 diopter of astigmatism. However, the AAO assessment cautions that further research is needed to determine the long-term effectiveness of this procedure as well as its safety and effectiveness compared with other treatments such as LASIK and photorefractive keratectomy (Rapuano et al., 2001). The AAO's Preferred Practice Pattern for Refractive Errors and Refractive Surgery states that intrastromal corneal ring segments are now rarely utilized to correct myopia (AAO, 2007). Keratoconus: Guell et al. (2010) reported the 4-year outcomes after Intacs intrastromal corneal ring segment (ICRS) implantation to correct low myopia in patients with abnormal topography in a retrospective consecutive interventional case series. After ICRS implantation, 82.05% of 39 eyes (21 patients) were within ±1.00 diopter (D) of emmetropia and 46.15% were within ±0.50 D. Refractive correction improved during the first 6 months and remained stable up to 4 years. The investigators concluded that 4-year results indicate that ICRS implantation is effective and safe in the correction of low myopia in patients for whom excimer laser surgery is contraindicated because of abnormal topography, including forme fruste keratoconus. The achieved refractive correction remained stable throughout the follow-up. Hellstedt et al. (2005) treated 50 eyes (37 patients) with Intacs and reported that asymmetric Intacs placement improves BSCVA and UCVA and reduces astigmatism in patients with mild to moderate keratoconus. The authors reported that the procedure is safe and effective and that the change in astigmatism correction is unpredictable. Colin and Malet (2007) evaluated the use of Intacs in 100 keratoconic eyes 2 years after Intacs placement. Removal of the segments occurred in 2 eyes due to extrusion and 2 eyes due to poor visual outcome. At 2 years, of the 82 eyes available for follow-up, UCVA and BCVA improved in 80.5% and 68.3% of the eyes, respectively. The investigators concluded that significant and sustained improvements in objective visual outcomes were achieved in most patients. A nonrandomized comparative study and analysis of retrospective data included 17 patients with keratoconus who had penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) in 1 eye and Intacs implantation in the other eye. Follow-up after PKP was at 24 hours and 6 and 24 months and after Intacs implantation, at 24 hours and 3 and 10 months. UCVA and BCVA improved in both groups. No patient lost a line of acuity. Eyes with Intacs had a shorter recovery time than eyes having PKP. The eyes with Intacs had no complications. Complications in eyes with PKP included cataract, graft rejection, and elevated intraocular pressure. The investigators concluded that Intacs may delay or prevent the need for a corneal graft, although more research with longer follow-up is needed (Rodriguez et al., 2007). Several studies evaluated the use of the Ferrara intrastromal corneal ring (Pesando 2010, Torquetti et al. 2009, Ferrara and Torquietti 2009, Kwitko and Severo, 2004; Ferrara et al. 2011) and the Keraring (de Freitas et al. 2010) for keratoconus. The Ferrara intrastromal corneal ring and the Keraring are not currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) issued guidance on the use of corneal implants for keratoconus. The NICE guidance states that current evidence on the safety and efficacy of corneal implants for keratoconus appears adequate to support the use of this procedure (NICE, Corneal implants for keratoconus, 2007). Post-Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) or Post- Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) Ectasia: Intrastromal corneal ring segments have been investigated as a treatment for ectasia after LASIK or PRK. Although early results show potential (Kymionis et al. 2003: n=10 eyes and 1 year followup, Alio et al. 2002: 3 eyes and mean follow-up of 8.3 months, Lovisolo et al. 2002: 4 eyes and 12 4

5 to 44 months follow-up, Pokroy et al. 2004: 5 eyes and 9 month follow-up, Siganos et al. 2002: 3 eyes and mean follow-up of 8.7 months, Rodríguez et al. 2009: n=7 eyes and 9 month postoperative follow-up; Kymionis et al. 2010: 2 patients and 12 month follow-up), the long-term efficacy for this procedure has not been established. Limitations of these studies included small sample sizes, absence of controlled groups, and short follow-up. Tunc et al. (2011) evaluated the clinical outcomes of intracorneal ring segments (ICRS) (Keraring segment implantation) in 12 eyes of 10 patients with post- laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) ectasia. The mean preoperative uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) for all eyes was 1.28 ± 0.59 logarithm of the Minimum Angle of Resolution (logmar). At 12 months, the mean UDVA was 0.36 ± 0.19 logmar, and the mean preoperative corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) was 0.58 ± 0.3 logmar, which improved to 0.15 ± 0.12 at 1 year. No significant changes in mean central corneal thickness were observed postoperatively and there were no major complications during or after surgery. The authors concluded the ICRS implantation using a unique mechanical dissection technique is a safe and effective treatment for post-lasik ectasia. According to the authors, study limitations included small sample of treated eyes, the lack of higher-order aberration analysis, and the lack of a comparative group. Pinero et al. (2010) evaluated and compared visual, refractive, and corneal aberrometric outcomes after implantation of 2 types of intrastromal corneal ring segments (ICRS) in eyes with early to moderate ectatic disease in a retrospective analysis over a 6 month follow-up. The study included consecutive eyes with grade I or grade II corneal ectasia (keratoconus, pellucid marginal degeneration, ectasia after laser in situ keratomileusis) that had Intacs (Group I) or KeraRings (Group K) ICRS implantation using femtosecond technology. Group I had 17 eyes and Group K, 20 eyes. One month postoperatively, there was a statistically significant reduction in sphere in both groups. At 6 months, there was a statistically significant reduction in manifest cylinder in Group K that was consistent with the significant reduction in corneal astigmatic aberration. The uncorrected distance visual acuity increased significantly in Group K but not in Group I; 41.18% of eyes in Group I and 52.94% in Group K gained 1 or more lines of corrected distance visual acuity. Both groups had significant corneal flattening. At 1 month, the mean primary spherical aberration was 0.17 microm ± 0.52 (SD) in Group I and 0.40 ± 0.35 microm in Group K; the difference was statistically significant. The investigators concluded that astigmatism correction in early to moderate ectatic corneas was more limited with the Intacs ICRS, which induced negative primary spherical aberration in the initial postoperative period. This study is limited by short-term followup. Torquetti and Ferrara (2010) evaluated the clinical outcomes of implantation of Ferrara intrastromal corneal ring segments (ICRS) in patients with corneal ectasia after refractive surgery. Charts of patients with corneal ectasia after refractive surgery were retrospectively reviewed. Twenty-five eyes (20 patients) with corneal ectasia (20 after laser in situ keratomileusis, 4 after radial keratotomy, 1 after photorefractive keratectomy) were evaluated. Postoperatively, the mean uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) increased from 20/185 to 20/66 and the mean corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), from 20/125 to 20/40. The investigators concluded that intrastromal corneal ring segment implantation significantly improved UDVA and CDVA in patients with corneal ectasia. The short-term follow-up in this study did not allow for assessment of intermediate and long-term outcomes. Kymionis et al. (2006) reported on the long-term follow-up (5 years) of Intacs for the management of post-lasik corneal ectasia in 8 eyes of 5 patients. Refractive stability was maintained for up to 5 years in the treatment of post-lasik corneal ectasia after Intacs implantation. There was no evidence of progressive time-dependent corneal ectasia, late regression, or sight-threatening complications in this study. The limitation of this study was its small sample size. Pinero et al. (2009) evaluated the refractive and aberrometric changes in corneas with post- LASIK keratectasia implanted with intracorneal ring segments (ICRS) during a 2-year follow-up in a retrospective, consecutive case series of 25 patients (34 eyes). Uncorrected visual acuity did not improve after surgery. Best spectacle-corrected visual acuity increased significantly at 6 months. Thirty-nine percent of eyes gained 2 or more lines of best spectacle-corrected visual 5

6 acuity (BSCVA) at 6 months, and this percentage increased to 60% at 24 months. There was a nonsignificant reduction of sphere at 6 months. Segment ring explantation was performed in 6 eyes, and ring reposition was performed in 2 eyes. The apical curvature gradient was significantly higher in the group of explanted eyes. The investigators concluded that intracorneal ring segment implantation is a useful option for the treatment of coma-like aberrations and astigmatism in post- LASIK corneal ectasia. These findings require confirmation in a larger study. The retrospective nature of this study limits its validity. Professional Societies American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO): The AAO's Preferred Practice Pattern for Refractive Errors and Refractive Surgery states that management options for ectasia after laserassisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) include IOP reduction, rigid contact lenses, and intrastromal corneal ring segments. According to the AAO, intrastromal corneal ring segments (ICRS) are FDA-approved for use in keratoconus. Some favorable but limited results have been reported when used off-label for ectasia after LASIK. The AAO states that although early results show potential, long-term efficacy for this procedure remains to be determined (AAO, 2007). Other Conditions: Intrastromal corneal ring segment implantation has been investigated for other conditions including pellucid marginal corneal degeneration (Kubaloglu, 2010: n=16 eyes; Ertan and Bahadir, 2006: n=9 eyes; Mularoni, 2005: n=8 eyes) or high astigmatism after penetrating keratoplasty (Arriola-Villalobos, 2009). However, because of limited studies, small sample sizes and weak study designs, there is insufficient data to conclude that intrastromal corneal ring segment implantation is safe and/or effective for treating these indications. Further clinical trials demonstrating the clinical usefulness of this procedure are necessary before it can be considered proven for these conditions. In a prospective randomized study, Birnbaum et al. (2011) evaluated the efficacy and safety of an intrastromal corneal ring after penetrating keratoplasty. The study included 20 patients, 10 of whom received an intracorneal ring (group 1) and 10 who did not (group 2 or control group). Mean follow-up time was 27.6 ± 5.3 months. Mean astigmatism (Orbscan) was 4.4 diopters in group 1 and 4.4 diopters in group 2. Spontaneous suture rupture occurred in 5 patients with corneal ring but in none of the patients in the control group. Three immune reactions were observed in 3 patients with corneal ring, whereas group 2 experienced no rejection. The authors concluded that the use of the intrastromal corneal ring after penetrating keratoplasty caused no reduction in postoperative astigmatism. According to the authors, its use was significantly associated with adverse events. U.S. FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (FDA) The Intacs intrastromal corneal ring system is regulated by the FDA as a Class III device that is subject to the most extensive regulations enforced by the FDA via the premarket approval process. The 1999 approval letter for Intacs inserts limits its use to patients with myopia of -1.0 to -3.0 diopters who are at least 21 years of age with an astigmatic component of no more than +1.0 diopter and with stable refraction as shown by a change of no more than 0.5 diopter in the preceding year. See the following Web site for more information: Accessed October In 2004, the FDA issued a humanitarian device exemption (HDE) approving Intacs implantation for the reduction or elimination of myopia and astigmatism in patients with keratoconus in patients who meet the following criteria: at least 21 years of age, progressive deterioration of vision, inadequate vision correction with eyeglasses or contacts, clear central cornea, corneal thickness of 450 microns or greater at the proposed incision site, and corneal transplantation is the only option other than Intacs to improve vision. See the following Web site for more information: Accessed October HDE is a special regulatory marketing approval that makes the device available on a limited basis provided that: (1) The device is to be used to treat or diagnose a disease or condition that affects 6

7 fewer than 4,000 individuals in the United States; (2) the device would not be available to a person with such a disease or condition unless the exemption is granted; (3) no comparable device (other than a device that has been granted such an exemption) is available to treat or diagnose the disease or condition; and (4) the device will not expose patients to an unreasonable or significant risk of illness or injury, and the probable benefit to health from using the device outweighs the risk of injury or illness from its use, taking into account the probable risks and benefits of currently available devices or alternative forms of treatment. Humanitarian use devices may only be used in facilities that have obtained an institutional review board (IRB) approval to oversee the usage of the device in the facility, and after an IRB has approved the use of the device to treat or diagnose the specific rare disease. Additional information may be obtained directly from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) [Website] - Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) at: Accessed October 2012 The FDA issued the following precautions in conjunction with its 1999 approval order for Intacs inserts: (See the following Web site for more information: Accessed October Patients treated with the 0.35-mm insert may have worse outcomes than those treated with or 0.30-mm inserts. Overcorrection is more likely for patients with -1.0 diopter myopia. Intacs inserts may have long-term effects on endothelial cell density but this has not been determined. Intacs implantation causes a temporary decrease in corneal sensation for some patients, although this effect does not seem to be clinically significant. Patients are predisposed to low-light visual symptoms if they have dilated pupil diameters 7.0 mm. Patients may experience some loss of contrast sensitivity in low-light conditions. The efficacy and safety of other procedures to modify refraction have not been established for patients who have undergone Intacs implantation and removal. In addition to the precautions listed above, Intacs implantation is contraindicated under the following circumstances: use of Accutane (isotretinoin), Cordarone (amiodarone) or Imitrex (sumatriptan), recurrent corneal erosion syndrome, corneal dystrophy, or other ocular disorders that might cause complications in the future; and known autoimmune, immunodeficiency, or collagen vascular disease. Intacs implantation is not recommended for patients who have systemic diseases that can affect wound healing or for patients who have had ocular Herpes simplex or Herpes Zoster infections. See the following Web site for more information: Accessed October APPLICABLE CODES The codes listed in this policy are for reference purposes only. Listing of a service or device code in this policy does not imply that the service described by this code is a covered or non-covered health service. Coverage is determined by the Member s plan of benefits or Certificate of Coverage. This list of codes may not be all inclusive. Applicable CPT Codes CPT Code 0099T Description Implantation of intrastromal corneal ring segments CPT is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association. Applicable ICD-9 Codes: Medically Necessary in Certain Circumstances 7

8 ICD-9 Code Description Myopia Unspecified keratoconus Keratoconus, acute hydrops Applicable ICD-9 Code: Not Medically Necessary ICD-9 Code Corneal ectasia Description ICD-10 Codes (Preview Draft) In preparation for the transition from ICD-9 to ICD-10 medical coding on October 1, 2014 *, a sample listing of the ICD-10 CM and/or ICD-10 PCS codes associated with this policy has been provided below for your reference. This list of codes may not be all inclusive and will be updated to reflect any applicable revisions to the ICD-10 code set and/or clinical guidelines outlined in this policy. *The effective date for ICD-10 code set implementation is subject to change. ICD-10 Diagnosis Code (Effective 10/01/14) Description H Keratoconus, unspecified, right eye H Keratoconus, unspecified, left eye H Keratoconus, unspecified, bilateral H Keratoconus, unstable, right eye H Keratoconus, unstable, left eye H Keratoconus, unstable, bilateral H Corneal ectasia, right eye H Corneal ectasia, left eye H Corneal ectasia, bilateral H Corneal ectasia, unspecified eye H52.10 Myopia, unspecified eye H52.11 Myopia, right eyes H52.12 Myopia, left eye H52.13 Myopia, bilateral REFERENCES The foregoing Oxford policy has been adapted from an existing UnitedHealthcare national policy that was researched, developed and approved by UnitedHealthcare Medical Technology Assessment Committee. [2012T0486H] Alio JL, Artola A, Hassanein A, et al. One or 2 Intacs segments for the correction of keratoconus. J Cataract Refract Surg May;31(5): Alio J, Salem T, Artola A, Osman A. Intracorneal rings to correct corneal ectasia after laser in situ keratomileusis. J Cataract Refract Surg 2002;28: Alio JL, Shabayek MH, Belda JI, et al. Analysis of results related to good and bad outcomes of Intacs implantation for keratoconus correction. J Cataract Refract Surg May;32(5): American Academy of Ophthalmology. Preferred Practice Pattern. Refractive Errors & Refractive Surgery. September Available at: Accessed October Arriola-Villalobos P, Díaz-Valle D, Güell JL et al. Intrastromal corneal ring segment implantation for high astigmatism after penetrating keratoplasty. J Cataract Refract Surg Nov;35(11):

9 Birnbaum F, Schwartzkopff J, Böhringer D, et al. The intrastromal corneal ring in penetrating keratoplasty-long-term results of a prospective randomized study. Cornea Jul;30(7): Colin J, Malet FJ. Intacs for the correction of keratoconus: two-year follow-up. J Cataract Refract Surg Jan;33(1): Coscarelli S, Ferrara G, Alfonso JF, et al. Intrastromal corneal ring segment implantation to correct astigmatism after penetrating keratoplasty. J Cataract Refract Surg Jun;38(6): de Freitas Santos Paranhos J, Avila MP, Paranhos A Jr, Schor P. Evaluation of the impact of intracorneal ring segments implantation on the quality of life of patients with keratoconus using the NEI-RQL (National Eye Institute Refractive Error Quality of life) instrument. Br J Ophthalmol Jan;94(1): ECRI. Custom Hotline Response. Intrastromal Corneal Ring Segments (Intacs Prescription Inserts) for Keratoconus: December ECRI. Custom Hotline Response. Intrastromal Corneal Ring segments (Intacs Prescription Inserts) for Refractive Errors: October Ertan A, Bahadir M. Intrastromal ring segment insertion using a femtosecond laser to correct pellucid marginal corneal degeneration. J Cataract Refract Surg Oct;32(10): Ferrara P, Torquetti L. Clinical outcomes after implantation of a new intrastromal corneal ring with a 210-degree arc length. J Cataract Refract Surg Sep;35(9): Ferrara G, Torquetti L, Ferrara P, et al. Intrastromal corneal ring segments: visual outcomes from a large case series. Clin Experiment Ophthalmol Sep 8. doi: /j x. Ferrara G, Torquetti L, Ferrara P, et al. Intrastromal corneal ring segments: visual outcomes from a large case series. Clin Experiment Ophthalmol Jul;40(5): doi: /j x. Güell JL, Morral M, Salinas C, et al. Intrastromal corneal ring segments to correct low myopia in eyes with irregular or abnormal topography including forme fruste keratoconus: 4-year follow-up. J Cataract Refract Surg Jul;36(7): Haddad W, Fadlallah A, Dirani A, et al. Comparison of 2 types of intrastromal corneal ring segments for keratoconus. J Cataract Refract Surg Jul;38(7): Hayes Inc. Hayes Directory. Intacs for the Treatment of Keratoconus. December Hellstedt T, MJ, Uusitalo R, Emre S, Uusitalo R. Treating keratoconus with intacs corneal ring segments. J Refract Surg May-Jun;21(3): Holmes-Higgin DK, Burris TE, Lapidus JA, Greenlick MR. Risk factors for self-reported visual symptoms with Intacs inserts for myopia. Ophthalmology. 2002;109(1): Kanellopoulos AJ, Pe LH, Perry HD, Donnenfeld ED. Modified intracorneal ring segment implantations (INTACS) for the management of moderate to advanced keratoconus: efficacy and complications. Cornea Jan;25(1): Kwitko S, Severo NS. Ferrara intracorneal ring segments for keratoconus. J Cataract Refract Surg Apr;30(4):

10 Kymionis GD, Bouzoukis DI, Portaliou DM, et al. New INTACS SK implantation in patients with post-laser in situ keratomileusis corneal ectasia. Cornea Feb;29(2): Kymionis GD, Siganos CS, Kounis G, et al. Management of post-lasik corneal ectasia with Intacs inserts: one-year results. Arch Ophthalmol 2003;121: Kymionis GD, Tsiklis NS, Pallikaris AI, et al. Long-term follow-up of Intacs for post-lasik corneal ectasia. Ophthalmology Nov;113(11): Levinger S, Pokroy R. Keratoconus managed with intacs: one-year results. Arch Ophthalmol Oct;123(10): Lovisolo CF, Fleming JF. Intracorneal ring segments for iatrogenic keratectasia after laser in situ keratomileusis or photorefractive keratectomy. J Refract Surg 2002;18: Mularoni A, Torreggiani A, di Biase A et al. Conservative treatment of early and moderate pellucid marginal degeneration: a new refractive approach with intracorneal rings. Ophthalmology Apr;112(4): National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE).Guidance for Corneal implants for keratoconus. July Available at: Accessed October National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). Guidance for Corneal implants for the correction of refractive error. July Available at: Accessed October Nio YK, Jansonius NM, Wijdh RH, et al. Effect of methods of myopia correction on visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and depth of focus. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2003;29(11): Pesando PM, Ghiringhello MP, Di Meglio G, et al. Treatment of keratoconus with Ferrara ICRS and consideration of the efficacy of the Ferrara nomogram in a 5-year follow-up. Eur J Ophthalmol Sep-Oct;20(5): Pinero DP, Alió JL, El Kady B, et al. Corneal aberrometric and refractive performance of 2 intrastromal corneal ring segment models in early and moderate ectatic disease. J Cataract Refract Surg Jan;36(1): Pinero DP, Alio JL, Morbelli H, et al. Refractive and corneal aberrometric changes after intracorneal ring implantation in corneas with pellucid marginal degeneration. Ophthalmology Sep;116(9): Pinero DP, Alio JL, Uceda-Montanes A, El Kady B, Pascual I. Intracorneal ring segment implantation in corneas with post-laser in situ keratomileusis keratectasia. Ophthalmology Sep;116(9): Pokroy R, Levinger S, Hirsh A. Single Intacs segment for post-laser in situ keratomileusis keratectasia. J Cataract Refract Surg 2004;30: Rapuano CJ, Sugar A, Koch DD, et al. Intrastromal corneal ring segments for low myopia: a report by the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Ophthalmology. 2001;108(10): Rodriguez, LA, Guillen, PB, Benavides, MA, Garcia, L, Porras, D, and qui-garay, RM. Penetrating keratoplasty versus intrastromal corneal ring segments to correct bilateral corneal ectasia: preliminary study. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2007;33(3):

11 Rodríguez LA, Villegas AE, Porras D, Benavides MA, Molina J. Treatment of Six Cases of Advanced Ectasia After LASIK with 6-mm Intacs SK. J Refract Surg Sep 2:1-4. doi: / X Ruckhofer J, Stoiber J, Alzner E, Grabner G; Multicenter European Corneal Correction Assessment Study Group. One year results of European Multicenter Study of intrastromal corneal ring segments. Part 2: complications, visual symptoms, and patient satisfaction. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2001;27(2): Schanzlin DJ, Abbott RL, Asbell PA, et al. Two-year outcomes of intrastromal corneal ring segments for the correction of myopia. Ophthalmology. 2001;108(9): Schwartz AR, Tinio BO, Esmail F, Babayan A, Naikoo HN, Asbell PA. Ten-year follow-up of 360 degrees intrastromal corneal rings for myopia. J Refract Surg Nov;22(9): Sharma M, Boxer Wachler BS. Comparison of single-segment and double-segment Intacs for keratoconus and post-lasik ectasia. Am J Ophthalmol May;141(5): Siganos CS, Kymionis GD, Astyrakakis N, et al. Management of corneal ectasia after laser in situ keratomileusis with INTACS. J Refract Surg 2002;18:43-6. Suiter BG, Twa MD, Ruckhofer J, Schanzlin DJ. A comparison of visual acuity, predictability, and visual function outcomes after intracorneal ring segments and laser in situ keratomileusis. Trans Am Ophthalmol Soc. 2000;98: Torquetti L, Berbel RF, Ferrara P. Long-term follow-up of intrastromal corneal ring segments in keratoconus. J Cataract Refract Surg Oct;35(10): Torquetti L, Ferrara P. Intrastromal corneal ring segment implantation for ectasia after refractive surgery. J Cataract Refract Surg Jun;36(6): Tunc Z, Helvacioglu F, Sencan S. Evaluation of intrastromal corneal ring segments for treatment of post-lasik ectasia patients with a mechanical implantation technique. Indian J Ophthalmol Nov-Dec;59(6): Twa MD, Ruckhofer J, Shanzlin DJ. Surgically induced astigmatism after implantation of intacs intrastromal corneal ring segments. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2001;27(3): POLICY HISTORY/REVISION INFORMATION Date 03/01/2013 Action/Description Updated description of services to reflect most current clinical evidence and references; no change to coverage rationale Added benefit consideration language to indicate most Certificates of Coverage (COC) contain an explicit exclusion for vision correction surgery [for example, intrastromal corneal ring segments (ICRS) used to treat myopia or other refractive errors may be excluded from coverage, but ICRS to treat keratoconus may be covered under the COC]; the enrollee-specific benefit document must be reviewed to determine coverage or exclusions Updated list of applicable ICD-10 diagnosis codes (preview draft effective 10/01/14); removed H and H Archived previous policy version VISION