Posters

Topical omega-3 fatty acids usage after corneal cross-linking in keratoconus cases

Poster Details

First Author: F.Yilmaz TURKEY

Co Author(s):    B. Yildiz   U. Tunc   N. Besek               

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To evaluate the effect of topical omega 3 fatty acids on ocular surface, epithelial healing, tear film stability and compare with the topical sodium hyaluronate prescribed following corneal cross-linking (CXL) in keratoconus cases.

Setting:

University of Health Sciences Beyoglu Eye Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul.

Methods:

In this prospective study, 50 patients who underwent cross-linking (CXL) treatment due to keratoconus were divided into two groups. In addition to topical steroids and antibiotics after CXL, the first group was prescribed topical omega 3 essential fatty acids;and the second group was prescribed artificial tears containing 0.3% sodium hyaluronate.Postoperatively, epithelial defect was measured every day until the epithelium healed completely and the degree of pain was questioned. At the first month; best corrected visual acuity, corneal staining and schirmer test were performed, tear break up time (TBUT) and tear meniscus height were measured.

Results:

Age, gender, keratometric values, central corneal thicknesses, spherical and cylindrical values were similar between the two groups; furthermore there was no difference in terms of preoperative visual acuities, corneal staining and preoperative tear film stability. Epithelial healing (2.96 in the first group and 3.24 days in the second group) was significantly faster in the topical omega 3 group (p = 0.049). But there was no difference in terms of postoperative pain score. Epithelial closure time was extended to 4 days in 2 patients in the first group, and in 4 patients in the second group,Total epithelium healing was observed on the 5th day in one patient in the second group. At the first month of treatment, there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of corneal staining, schirmer test and postoperative visual acuity; but TBUT (12.56 ± 1.16 sec in the first group, 9.72 ± 1.24 sec in the second group) and tear meniscus height were significantly better (0.38 ± 0.3 mm in the first group, 0.34 ± 0.3 mm in the second group) in the omega 3 group. (p = 0.001, p = 0.047, respectively).

Conclusions:

This study showed that the usage of topical omega 3 after CXL treatment in keratoconus accelerates epithelial healing, increases tear film stability and tear volume.

Financial Disclosure:

None