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. 2023 Jan-Mar;16(1):74-80.
doi: 10.1016/j.optom.2021.09.002. Epub 2021 Oct 15.

The ABCD grading system in assessment of corneal cross-linking effect in keratoconus with different cone locations

Iva Krolo  1 , Aida Kasumović  2 , Ines Matoc  1 , Ivan Sabol  3 , Ivana Radman  1 , Mirko Ratković  4
Affiliations

The ABCD grading system in assessment of corneal cross-linking effect in keratoconus with different cone locations

Iva Krolo et al. J Optom. 2023 Jan-Mar.

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyse the postoperative corneal cross-linking results of corneal parameters and the ABCD grading system, depending on the cone location.

Methods: Thirty eyes of 25 patients with keratoconus (KC), who received the corneal cross-linking (CXL) treatment, were included in this study. The exclusion criteria were: patients under 18 years of age, corneal pachymetry less than 400 μm, corneal scarring, history of ocular trauma, history of ocular surgery, and corneal pathology other than KC. Patients were examined at the baseline visit, and followed-up at three, six, and twelve months after the CXL. All patients underwent visual acuity and Scheimpflug tomography at all visits. Progression parameters, keratometries, and ABCD grading were compared between the visits. Patients were classified into two groups: central and paracentral cones group (within the central 5 mm corneal zone) and peripheral cones group (outside the central 5 mm corneal zone), based on X-Y coordinates of maximal keratometry (Kmax).

Results: Parameter A remained relatively stable throughout the follow-up period in both groups. Parameter B and parameter C showed a significant increase in both groups postoperatively. Parameter D showed stability at the 6-month post-CXL visit in the peripheral KC group, while the central and paracentral KC group showed improvement at the 12-month post-CXL visit.

Conclusion: There was no significant difference in the postoperative response between different cone locations in the ABCD grading system, when classifying according to the Kmax, except an earlier recovery of the parameter D in peripherally located cones.

Keywords: ABCD grading system; Corneal cross-linking; Corneal tomography; Keratoconus.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

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