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. 2011 Jul;6(3):155-9.

Short-term Outcomes of Collagen Crosslinking for Early Keratoconus

Akbar Derakhshan  1 , Javad Heravian Shandiz, Masumeh Ahadi, Ramin Daneshvar, Habibollah Esmaily
Affiliations

Short-term Outcomes of Collagen Crosslinking for Early Keratoconus

Akbar Derakhshan et al. J Ophthalmic Vis Res. 2011 Jul.

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the efficacy of collagen crosslinking with riboflavin and ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation for treatment of early keratoconus.

Methods: Thirty-one eyes of 22 patients with early keratoconus were included in this study. All patients underwent slit lamp examination and assessment of uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), intraocular pressure, corneal topography and pachymetry. Collagen crosslinking was performed without epithelial removal. Riboflavin was applied to the cornea every 3 minutes 30 minutes before UVA irradiation and every 5 minutes thereafter. Patients were re-assessed 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment.

Results: Postoperatively, UCVA increased by 2 Snellen lines and BSCVA was improved by 1.7 Snellen lines (P < 0.001). Spherical equivalent refractive error was reduced by 0.55 D, and maximum and mean K values were decreased by 0.65 D and 0.51 D respectively (P < 0.05 for all comparisons). Evidence of regression was present in 71% of treated eyes.

Conclusion: Collagen crosslinking demonstrated significant improvement in vision with reduction in corneal power and spherical equivalent refractive error in eyes with early keratoconus.

Keywords: Collagen Crosslinking; Cornea; Keratoconus; Riboflavin; UVA Radiation.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Changes in Snellen visual acuity.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Changes in refraction (diopters). SE, spherical equivalent
Figure 3
Figure 3
Changes in minimum, maximum, and mean K values (D). K Min Ave, average minimum K value; Mean K Ave, average mean K value; K Max Ave, average maximum K value
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