Posters

Cross-linking treatment of progressive keratoconus: preliminary topographic results of accelerated pulsed light irradiation comparing with Dresden protocol

Poster Details

First Author: e. quiroga caneiro SPAIN

Co Author(s):    I. Hernanz Rodriguez   N. Alejandre Alba                 

Abstract Details

Purpose:

Corneal-cross-linking of progressive keratoconus, an ectatic corneal disease, following the Dresden protocol has proved to halt its progression. Since the Dresden protocol is a long procedure, several studies have tried to reduce the exposure time maintaining same effectiveness. We present our results using accelerated pulsed-light irradiation compared to Dresden protocol.

Setting:

This is a retrospective observational study performed at the Univeristary Hospital Fundación Jiménez-Díaz in Madrid, Spain.

Methods:

In our observational study, 19 eyes underwent Dresden protocol whereas 24 eyes were treated with accelerated pulsed light irradiation protocol. The indication of cross-linking was done when the disease was found to progress. Patients with any history of eye surgery or eye disease were excluded from the study. The Dresden protocol consists in UVA light irradiation (370 nm) for 30 minutes and an accumulated dose of 3 mW/cm2. The accelerated group underwent a similar procedure except that UVA irradiation was at 30 mW/cm2 during 6 minutes with the UV light one second on and one second off, using the UV system.

Results:

At first year, mean reduction of maximum keratometry (Kmax) was 1.1 diopters with accelerated protocol whereas in Dresden protocol was 0.4 diopters, with no statistical significance. There was not significant differences in both protocols related with astigmatism decrease (p =0.246). All patients experienced a complete corneal reepithelialization within first 3 days postoperatively.

Conclusions:

Both Dresden and accelerated protocol seems to reduce the Kmax at first year although no statistical difference was found. No side effects related with the procedure in both protocols have been described in short or midterm except for one case of corneal infiltration after accelerated protocol. No statistically difference in astigmatism reduction has been found. Therefore, accelerated pulsed light UV irradiation protocol would suggest non-inferiority results in terms of effectiveness compared to Dresden protocol. However, further consistent studies will be necessary to confirm the present results.

Financial Disclosure:

NONE