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Transepithelial cross-linking improves corrected distance visual acuity, corneal flattening
Transepithelial corneal collagen cross-linking resulted in significant corneal flattening and improved corrected distance visual acuity at 6 months in patients with keratoconus, according to a study.
The prospective clinical trial included 30 eyes of 25 patients with keratoconus who underwent transepithelial corneal collagen cross-linking. Ultraviolet A treatment with concurrent riboflavin administration was performed every 2 minutes in 12 eyes and every 1 minute in 18 eyes, for a total of 30 minutes.
The primary outcome measures were Snellen uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuity and maximum keratometry values.
Patients were examined at baseline, on the day of treatment, and at 1 day, 1 week and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment. The 6-month results were presented in the current study.
Mean uncorrected distance visual acuity improved in all patients, but the improvement was insignificant. Uncorrected distance visual acuity improved by two or more lines in 11 eyes. Five eyes lost two or more lines.
Mean corrected distance visual acuity improved significantly (
The mean maximum keratometry value decreased significantly, by 0.9 D (
Uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuity and maximum and mean keratometry were similar in the 1-minute and 2-minute ultraviolet A groups.
No infections or adverse events were reported.
Disclosure: See the study for a full list of all authors’ relevant financial disclosures.