Posters

Is corneal cross-linking more effective in children than older keratoconic patients?

Poster Details

First Author: M.Abdellah EGYPT

Co Author(s):                        

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To compare the efficacy of corneal cross-linking between the children group and the older group of keratoconus patients

Setting:

Future Femto-Laser for corneal surgeries, Sohag, Egypt

Methods:

37 eyes of 22 children with keratoconus were included in group A, age range ( 10 -16 ) years and 56 eyes of 31 patients of older group ( group B) ( range 20-40 ) years. The corneal epithelium was mechanically removed. Next, riboflavin/hydroxypropyl methylcellulose solution) was applied for 10 min. Accelerated CXL (10 mW/cm2 for 8 min) was accomplished. Visual acuity, refraction, keratometry readings were measured. The follow-up visits were one day, 7 days, one month and then on 3, 6, 12 months, the complications were reported. And the results were compared in both groups.

Results:

There is a statistically significant improvement of the mean UCVA(uncorrected visual acuity), BCVA( best-corrected visual acuity), between preoperative to postoperative results in both groups (P <0 .0001). The preoperative mean K max reading was reduced from 51.12±2.7 D preoperatively to 46.81±1.1 D at 12 months in group A. And K max from 53.2±4.1 to 49.8 ±2.2 D in group B. The change of K max in the group was statistically significantly different between both groups (P< 0.01 ). The UCVA is dramatically improved in both groups while the degree of improvement was better in children group (P<0.001).

Conclusions:

Corneal cross-linking is effective in children with keratoconus with a more flattening effect on the cornea than older age. More improvement in UCVA was obtained in the children group. While further follow up is needed to compare the stability of the maneuver in both groups.

Financial Disclosure:

None