[Impact of crosslinking on corneal epithelial healing].

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: To analyse the effect of crosslinking (CXL) on corneal epithelial healing.

PATIENTS AND METHOD: 39 keratoconus patients following CXL and 11 patients following PRK were enrolled in this study. 21, 45 and 69 hours after CXL and 16, 37 and 61 hours following PRK slitlamp photographs were taken using fluorescein staining and the size of the epithelial defect and the time of epithelial closure was determined. As the observation time-points differed in both groups, the size of the epithelial defect following PRK was calculated for the time points used for analysis of CXL patients. These data were compared using chi-quadrat test.

RESULTS

Following crosslinking, epithelial closure occured within 3, following PRK within 4 days. In the area of epithelial erosion 45 and 69 hours after CXL or PRK treatment statistically significant difference (p = 0.005 and p<0.001) was verified.

CONCLUSION

Our results show beneficial effect of crosslinking on corneal epithelial healing. Orv. Hetil., 2017, 158(10), 376-379.