Deep stromal opacity after corneal cross-linking.

PURPOSE: To describe 3 cases with deep corneal stromal opacity that occurred several months after corneal cross-linking.

METHODS

A 36-year-old man, a 19-year-old man, and a 14-year-old girl underwent corneal cross-linking for their progressive keratoconus. Corneal cross-linking was performed according to the Dresden protocol. The corneal epithelium was ablated using an excimer laser in 2 cases and manually in 1 case. After 30 minutes of riboflavin presoaking, hypotonic riboflavin solution was applied until the corneal stroma swelled, after which the eyes were exposed to ultraviolet irradiation. Slit-lamp microscopy findings, uncorrected visual acuity, best-corrected visual acuity, manifest refraction, intraocular pressure, and corneal endothelial cell counts were evaluated, and corneal topography with Scheimpflug imaging was performed.

RESULTS

In all cases, the epithelium healed without delay. All eyes showed mild stromal infiltration a few days after the procedure; however, the inflammation was resolved within 1 week. The corneal stroma revealed no opacity up to 1 month after the procedure. A deep stromal opacity that extended to the inferior paracentral area developed after a few months and remained for 6 months to 1 year. Because the opacity was not on the visual axis, the visual acuity was not involved.

CONCLUSIONS

Deep stromal opacity developed several months after uneventful corneal cross-linking. Postoperative inflammation may play a crucial role in its pathogenesis.