Keratometric Evaluation of the Anterior and Posterior Corneal Surface Before and After Corneal Cross-linking for Pediatric Keratoconus.

PURPOSE: To evaluate keratometric measurements of the anterior and posterior corneal surface before and after corneal cross-linking (CXL) surgery for pediatric keratoconus.

METHODS

A total of 111 eyes were found eligible for CXL. Anterior and posterior corneal surface keratometry values obtained before and after CXL were analyzed.

RESULTS

The mean anterior keratometry values were 47.99 ± 3.96 and 47.74 ± 3.63 diopters (D) before and after CXL. The mean anterior surface steep keratometry was 50.05 ± 4.70 D before CXL and 49.58 ± 4.01 D at the end of the follow-up. The mean anterior surface flat keratometry was 45.91 ± 3.31 D before CXL and 45.93 ± 3.45 D at the end of the follow-up. The mean astigmatism of the anterior surface was 3.98 ± 2.34 cylinder diopters (Dcyl) before CXL and 3.63 ± 1.86 Dcyl at the end of the follow-up. The mean posterior surface keratometry value was -7.16 ± 0.81 D before CXL and -7.27 ± 0.76 D at the end of the follow-up. The mean posterior surface steep keratometry value was -7.52 ± 0.86 D before CXL and -7.64 ± 0.81 D at the end of the follow-up. The mean posterior surface flat keratometry value was -6.81 ± 0.80 D before CXL and -6.90 ± 0.75 D at the end of the follow-up. The mean posterior surface astigmatism was 0.71 ± 0.33 Dcyl before CXL and 0.73 ± 0.34 Dcyl at the end of the follow-up. The difference was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

CXL is recommended for children with keratoconus. The treatment does not significantly alter anterior and posterior corneal surface keratometry values.