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Visual acuity, topography remain stable 4 years after CXL
Standard epithelium-off corneal collagen cross-linking halts ectasia progression in patients with advanced keratoconus, according to a study in the Journal of Refractive Surgery.
Researchers retrospectively evaluated 40 eyes in 40 patients with advanced, progressive keratoconus who underwent standard corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) treatment. They evaluated them at baseline and at 12, 24 and 48 months postoperatively.
The mean baseline logMAR for uncorrected visual acuity was 1.17 and it remained stable after 4 years. Mean preoperative logMAR corrected visual acuity was 0.66 at 4 years. Researchers found that both visual acuity measurements remained stable after CXL treatment over the follow-up period.
After CXL treatment, mean values of flattest, steepest, mean and apical keratometry remained stable or without significant changes over 4 years, according to researchers.
A total of 38 eyes presented stable or decreased values of apical keratometry.
The mean central ultrasonic pachymetry readings significantly decreased from 388.20 m to 379.25 m at 4 years’ follow-up. A significant reduction in the mean thinnest point was also noted, from 361.93 m preoperatively to 353.30 m after 48 months, according to the study.
CXL may prevent or at least postpone a corneal transplant, researchers added. – by Abigail Sutton
Disclosure: Giacomin reported no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the full study for all remaining authors’ relevant financial disclosures.