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Evaluating treated and untreated eyes after corneal cross-linking in paediatric population: 7 year follow-up results

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First Author: B.Dubinsky-Pertzov ISRAEL

Co Author(s):    I. Simantov   L. Or   D. Zadok   E. Pras   A. Einan-Lifshitz        

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To evaluate long term keratoconus progression amongst a cross-linking (CXL) treated paediatric population in the treated and the fellow untreated eyes.

Setting:

Ophthalmology department, Shamir (Assaf Harofeh) Medical Center, Israel.

Methods:

Data on 60 eyes of 30 patients, 18 years old or younger, who underwent CXL in at least 1 eye was collected and analyzed. Follow up measurements taken from the treated and untreated eye up to 7 years after CXL treatment, were compared to baseline. Parameters included uncorrected distance visual acuity (UCDVA), best corrected spectacle visual acuity (BCSVA), manifest refraction, pachymetry, corneal tomography and topography.

Results:

Patients were followed for seven years. Mean age at CXL treatment was 16±2.1 years. For treated eyes, both UCDVA and BCSVA improved (0.78±0.22 to 0.58±0.26 logMAR; P=0.13 and 0.23±0.107 to 0.172±0.05 logMAR; P = 0.37, respectively). Mean keratomtery decreased significantly from 49.95±4.04 to 47.94±3.3 diopter (P <0.001). Minimal corneal thickness displayed a significant reduction of 26µm (486.83±47.39 to 460.16±36.36µm; P=0.006). Although insignificant, the manifest cylinder was also reduced (from -3.47±3.04 to -1.45±2.22 diopters; P=0.15). During the follow-up period, 3 treated eyes (10%) required additional CXL, 8 untreated eyes (27%) deteriorated, thus requiring CXL in the untreated eye.

Conclusions:

CXL is a safe and efficient procedure in halting keratoconus progression in pediatric population, although the fellow eye needs to be carefully monitored, only one third of patients will need CXL in that eye.

Financial Disclosure:

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