Corneal collagen crosslinking with riboflavin and ultraviolet-A light in progressive keratoconus: ten-year results.

PURPOSE: To analyze the 10-year results of corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL) for keratoconus.

SETTING

Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital, Dresden, Germany.

DESIGN

Retrospective interventional case series.

METHODS

The study included eyes treated for progressive keratoconus from 2000 to 2004. Corneal collagen crosslinking was performed by applying riboflavin and ultraviolet-A. The corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), corneal topography, and endothelial cell count (ECC) were recorded preoperatively and 10 years postoperatively.

RESULTS

The study enrolled 24 patients (34 eyes). The mean age of the 18 men and 6 women was 28.4 years ± 7.3 (SD) and the mean follow-up, 131.9 ± 20.1 months. The mean apical keratometry (K) value was 61.5 diopters (D) preoperatively and 55.3 D 10 years postoperatively; the decrease was statistically significant (P<.001). The mean values for maximum K (53.2 D and 49.56 D, respectively) and minimum K (47.5 D and 45.5 D, respectively) were also significantly lower (P<.001). The preoperative and postoperative CDVA were statistically significantly different (P=.002). The mean CDVA improved by 0.14 logMAR over preoperatively; the change was statistically significant (P=.002). The ECC was unchanged.

CONCLUSIONS

Corneal CXL was effective in treating progressive keratoconus, achieving long-term stabilization of the condition. It was easy to perform, had a good safety profile, and reduced the need for corneal transplantation.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.