Posters

Long-term results of transepithelial iontophoresis corneal cross-linking in children

Poster Details

First Author: A.Roszkowska ITALY

Co Author(s):    G. Oliverio   G. Signorino   P. Aragona              

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To assess efficacy, safety and predictability of Accelerated Iontophoresis Epi-On Corneal Cross Linking in children.

Setting:

Ophthalmology Unit, Department of Surgery, University Hospital of Messina, Messina, Italy

Methods:

Eight patients aged from 10 to 17 (mean 14,8±2,7) with progressive keratoconus, were treated with accelerated Iontophoresis Epi-on CXL at Ophthalmology Clinic of University Hospital of Messina, Italy.  All patients were examined before and at 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after the CXL procedure. The main outcome measures were UCVA, BCVA, corneal transparency and corneal parameters such as Kmax, anterior elevation (AEmax), posterior elevation (PEmax) and corneal thickness (CT) at the thinnest point.

Results:

During the follow up period all treated eyes showed significant worsening of the visual acuity and of all the examined corneal parameters. Progression of keratoconus started at 6 to12 months after the treatment in younger patients, aged 10 and 11 years, and after 24 to 30 months in teenagers aged from 15 to 17 years. All subjects were retreated with Accelerated Epi-off I-CXL

Conclusions:

Accelerated Epi-On Iontophoresis CXL resulted to be ineffective in children with evolutive keratoconus. The progression of ectasia occurred in the younger patients first and successively in the older children. However all eyes manifest progression within 30 months after the epi-on treatment. It could be stated that the Epi-off technique should be the main choice to treat evolutive corneal ectasia in pediatric patients.

Financial Disclosure:

None