Five year follow-up of riboflavin/ultraviolet A (370nm) corneal collagen cross-linking to halt the progression of keratoconus

Session Details

Session Title: Cross-Linking II

Session Date/Time: Tuesday 16/09/2014 | 16:30-18:00

Paper Time: 17:20

Venue: Boulevard A

First Author: : J.Alio del Barrio UK

Co Author(s): :    D. O'Brart   P. Patel   N. O'Brart   G. Lascaratos     

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To determine the long-term efficacy and safety of riboflavin/ultraviolet A corneal cross-linking (CXL) to halt the progression of Keratoconus.

Setting:

St. Thomas’ Hospital, London, United Kingdom.

Methods:

Thirty-five patients (35 eyes) who had undergone CXL with epithelial removal 5 or more years previously were examined.

Results:

At 5 years, mean spherical equivalent (SEQ) increased by +0.78 diopters (D) (p<0.001), mean Simulated K (Sim K) reduced by 0.86D (p<0.00001), Cone Apex Power (CAP) reduced by 1.1D (p<0.0002) and root mean square (RMS) (p<0.0001), coma (p<0.0001), and secondary astigmatism (p<0.001) decreased compared to preoperative values. Compared to values at 1 year, mean refractive cylinder reduced by 0.26D (p<0.05), mean Sim K reduced by 0.46D (p<0.0005), CAP reduced by 0.81D (p<0.01), RMS (p<0.001), coma (p<0.002) and secondary astigmatism (p<0.02) reduced and central pachymetry increased (p<0.05) at 5 years. No treated eyes showed evidence of progression at 5 years. None lost >1 line of CDVA. Eight untreated fellow eyes progressed during the follow-up period and underwent CXL.

Conclusions:

CXL is an effective treatment to halt the progression of keratoconus at 5 years, with no sight-threatening complications. Improvements in topographic and wave-front indices present at 1 year continue to improve at 5 years.

Financial Interest:

NONE