Keratometric and Visual Outcome post Corneal Cross-Linking in Keratoconus Patients

Abo Al Majd, Samiha M. Kamel; Khalil, Adel M. Abd El Wahab; Hassan, Mona El Sayed Ali; Hamd Al Abedi, Safia Dawod

doi:10.21608/ejhm.2022.223600

Keratometric and Visual Outcome post Corneal Cross-Linking in Keratoconus Patients

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

10.21608/ejhm.2022.223600

Abstract

Background: Keratoconus is a bilateral, primary, progressive, non-inflammatory, and non-symmetric corneal ectasia induced declined visual acuity in young adults. It leads to continued myopia and irregular astigmatism, causing a reduction in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and visual quality. Corneal Collagen Cross-linking (CXL) has progressively become a preferable cure tool and the frontline of therapy for keratoconus and other corneal ectatic illnesses. It creates a crossed bridge between the collagen fibrils (cross-linking), thus strengthening the Cornea.
Aim of the Work: This work purposes to assess the efficacy of CXL on eyes with keratoconus as regards uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) keratometric readings.
Patients and Methods: This non-randomized, prospective, interventional study included twenty eyes of eighteen patients with mild and moderate degree keratoconus. All patients were subjected to complete ocular examination and Pentacam examination. CXL was done under surface anesthesia. Changes in UCVA, BCVA, and keratometric readings that follow CXL were evaluated.
Results:Mean +SD of UCVA, BCVA, SE, KI, K2. Preoperatively for the 20 eyes were 0.25±0.18, 0.51± 0.21, 7.95±4.66, 46.93D±2.35, 51.90D±3.55 respectively. At the end of the follow-up period (Three months post-operatively), they were 0.28+0.20, 0.59+0.21, -7.73+4.10, 46.75+2.23, 51.75+3.63, respectively. No serious complications were reported in this study. Only two eyes (10%) showed mild corneal haze. They persisted until the study was finished. Two eyes (10%) showed delayed re-epithelization up to one week.
Conclusion: The CXL is an effective and safe technique for treating mild to moderate keratoconus, regarding stabilizing the condition and improving the visual outcome, regardless of the keratometric changes.

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