Collagen crosslinking with riboflavin and ultraviolet-A in eyes with pseudophakic bullous keratopathy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL) in patients with painful pseudophakic bullous keratopathy (PBK).

SETTING

University of São Paulo, São Paulo and Sadalla Amin Ghanem Eye Hospital, Joinville, Santa Catarina, Brazil.

METHODS

This prospective study included consecutive eyes with PBK that had CXL. After a 9.0 mm epithelial removal, riboflavin 0.1% with dextran 20% was applied for 30 minutes followed by ultraviolet-A irradiation (370 nm, 3 mW/cm(2)). Therapeutic contact lenses were placed for 1 week. Corneal transparency, central corneal thickness (CCT), and ocular pain were assessed preoperatively and 1 and 6 months postoperatively. Statistical analysis was by paired t tests.

RESULTS

Fourteen patients (14 eyes) with a mean age 71.14 years +/- 11.70 (SD) (range 53 to 89 years) were enrolled. Corneal transparency was better in all eyes 1 month after surgery. At 6 months, corneal transparency was similar to preoperative levels (P = .218). The mean CCT was 747 mum preoperatively and 623 mum at 1 month; the decrease was statistically significant (P<.001). At 6 months, the mean CCT increased to 710 mum, still significantly thinner than preoperatively (P = .006). Pain scores at 6 months were not significantly different than preoperatively (P = .066).

CONCLUSIONS

Corneal CXL significantly improved corneal transparency, corneal thickness, and ocular pain 1 month postoperatively. However, it did not seem to have a long-lasting effect in decreasing pain and maintaining corneal transparency in patients with PBK.