Cross-linking may halt hyperopia after previous refractive procedures

LAS VEGAS — Collagen cross-linking with riboflavin may stop hyperopia progression in patients who have undergone radial keratotomy and laser ablative procedures, according to Brian S. Boxer Wachler, MD.

At the American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting here, Dr. Boxer Wachler reviewed the results of a study evaluating whether corneal collagen cross-linking with riboflavin, or C3-R, can stabilize the progression of hyperopia in patients with previous refractive surgery.

The study included eight eyes of six patients that had documented progression of hyperopia after undergoing RK followed by a laser ablation procedure, either LASIK or surface ablation.

After the cross-linking procedure, hyperopia progression was halted in all eyes, Dr. Boxer Wachler said. No eye had more than a 1 D change of sphere or cylinder after the C3-R treatment, he said. There was little change in uncorrected visual acuity, best corrected visual acuity or keratometry after the treatment, he said, although corneal topography showed some steepening. No change in endothelial cell count was seen.

"These early results are suggestive that there may be stabilization occurring, and if follow-up in the long-term really shows improvement, this is going to be a nice treatment to offer patients that are suffering from progressive hyperopia," Dr. Boxer Wachler said.