Long term stability with the Athens Protocol (combined topography-guided excimer ablation-normalization and CXL) in paediatric patients

Session Details

Session Title: Moderated Poster Session: Refractive
Session Date/Time: Saturday 16/02/2019 | 14:00-15:00
Paper Time: 14:08
Venue: Poster Area


First Author: M.Stergiou GREECE
Co Author(s): A. Kanellopoulos                 

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To evaluate visual rehabilitation, keratometric and pachymetric changes in keratoconic pediatric patients after anterior surface normalization by partial topography-guided excimer laser ablation in conjunction with accelerated, high-fluence cross-linking (the Athens Protocol).

Setting:

LaserVision.gr Clinical and Research Eye Institute Athens Greece

Methods:

This prospective study included 39 keratoconic eyes of 21 patients aged 18 years or younger with clinical and imaging evidence of keratoconus progression. Partial topography-guided excimer laser ablation in conjunction with accelerated, high-fluence cross-linking was performed to all patients according to the Athens protocol. Uncorrected Distance Vision Acuity (UDVA), Corrected Distance Vision Acuity (CDVA), keratometric indices and corneal pachymetry were measured and evaluated preoperatively and up to 4 years postoperatively.

Results:

At 4years postoperatively, there was significant improvement in mean UDVA from 0.51±0.30(decimal) to 0.65±0.26(decimal;P<.05). Mean CDVA improved from 0.75±0.22(decimal) preoperatively to 0.94±0.17(decimal;P<.05) at 4years postoperatively, respectively. K1 and K2 were reduced from 44.95±3.71D and 49.32±5.05D respectively preoperatively to 43.80±2.78D and 43.14±2.81D(P<.05) at 4years postoperatively. The mean IHD was 0.105±0.054um preoperatively and 0.049±0.025(P<.05) at 4years postoperatively. Mean preoperative corneal thickness at the thinnest point was 436.66±42.63um preoperatively,392.50±45.68um at 12months postoperatively and 418.42±17.01um at the 4year follow up.

Conclusions:

The long-term effects of combined partial topography-guided PRK and CXL demonstrate this treatment to be a safe, effective and predictable alternative in the management of progressive keratoconus in pediatric patients.

Financial Disclosure:

None