Posters

Combined simultaneous transepithelial phototherapeutic keratectomy and conventional photorefractive keratectomy followed by corneal cross-linking for keratoconus: Cretan protocol plus

Poster Details

First Author: M.Grentzelos GREECE

Co Author(s):    G. Kounis   C. Siganos   M. Tsilimbaris   I. Pallikaris   G. Kymionis  

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To present the results after combined simultaneous transepithelial phototherapeutic keratectomy (t-PTK) and conventional photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) followed by corneal 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, patients with progressive keratoconus underwent combined simultaneous conventional PRK followed by CXL; corneal epithelium was removed by t-PTK (Cretan protocol plus). Visual and refractive outcomes were evaluated along with endothelial cell density (ECD) preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively.

Results:

Forty-three patients (55 eyes) were enrolled. LogMAR mean uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuity improved from 0.98 ± 0.63 and 0.20 ± 0.23 preoperatively to 0.39 ± 0.35 (p < 0.001) and 0.08 ± 0.16 (p < 0.001) at 12 months postoperatively, respectively. Mean spherical equivalent improved from -4.67 ± 4.00 diopters (D) preoperatively to -2.24 ± 2.81 D (p < 0.001) at 12 months postoperatively. Mean corneal astigmatism reduced from -4.68 ± 2.85 D preoperatively to -2.80 ± 2.21 D (p < 0.001) at 12 months postoperatively. No ECD alterations were observed throughout the follow-up period (p > 0.05).

Conclusions:

Combined simultaneous t-PTK and conventional PRK followed by CXL seems to be an effective and safe promising treatment for keratoconus. FINANCIAL DISCLOUSRE: NONE