Posters

Long-term results of combined transepithelial phototherapeutic keratectomy and corneal collagen cross-linking for keratoconus: the Cretan protocol

Poster Details

First Author: M.Grentzelos GREECE

Co Author(s):    V. Kankariya   D. Liakopoulos   A. Karavitaki   D. Portaliou   K. Tsoulnaras   G. Kymionis

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To present the long-term results after combined transepithelial phototherapeutic keratectomy (t-PTK) and corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL) for keratoconus

Setting:

Vardinoyiannion Eye Institute of Crete (VEIC), Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece

Methods:

In this prospective, interventional case series, 20 patients (23 eyes) with progressive keratoconus were enrolled. All patients underwent combined t-PTK during CXL treatment (Cretan protocol). Visual and refractive outcomes along with endothelial cell density (ECD) were evaluated preoperatively and at 1 (n=23), 2 (n=23), 3 (n=11) and 4 (n=7) years postoperatively.

Results:

Mean follow-up was 33.83 ± 10.82 months (range: 24 to 56 months). No intraoperative or postoperative complications were observed in any of the patients. Logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (LogMAR) mean uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) and mean corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) improved significantly from 0.99 ± 0.57 and 0.27 ± 0.24 preoperatively to 0.61 ± 0.36 (p < 0.001) and 0.17 ± 0.14 (p = 0.018) at last follow-up, respectively. Mean steep and mean flat keratometry readings reduced significantly from 53.39 ± 7.14 diopters (D) and 47.17 ± 4.87 D preoperatively to 49.99 ± 4.36 D (p < 0.001) and 45.47 ± 2.95 D (p = 0.002) at last follow-up, respectively. Mean corneal astigmatism improved significantly from -6.27 ± 4.19 D preoperatively to -4.52 ± 2.80 D (p < 0.001) at last follow-up. No ECD alterations were observed throughout the follow-up period (p > 0.05).

Conclusions:

Combined t-PTK during CXL seems to be an effective and safe treatment for keratoconic patients over a long-term follow-up period. FINANCIAL INTEREST: NONE