[Crosslinking in Keratoconus]

Abstract

Keratoconus leads to progressive thinning and protrusion of the cornea. Young patients exhibit the highest risk for progression. Corneal crosslinking was introduced in 1998 and is intended to prevent progression of keratoconus. Only a few prospective controlled trials have been published. Six randomised controlled trials have been published. All these trials confirmed the efficacy of crosslinking through keratometric data. In two trials, progression was reported in some patients of the treatment group. This indicates that not all patients benefit from corneal crosslinking. The risks of the procedure include corneal scarring, haze, endothelial cell damage and infections of the cornea. In order to avoid these risks, patients without progression should not be treated with crosslinking.