Collagen cross-linking (CCL) with sequential topography-guided PRK: a temporizing alternative for keratoconus to penetrating keratoplasty.

PURPOSE: To assess the effectiveness of ultraviolet A (UVA) irradiation-induced collagen cross-linking (CCL) on keratoconus (KC) progression.

METHODS

A patient with bilateral, progressive KC underwent UVA irradiation (3 mW/cm for 30 minutes) after topical 0.1% riboflavin drops over a deepithelialized cornea. Twelve months later, a topography-guided penetrating keratoplasty (PRK; wavelight 400 Hz Eye-Q excimer) was performed in 1 eye for a refractive error of -3.50 -4.00 x 155 by using an attempted treatment of -2.50 -3.00 x 155. At all postoperative follow-up visits to 18 months, uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), pachymetry, and topography were performed.

RESULTS

In the treated left eye, the UCVA after the UVA CCL improved from 20/100 to 20/80, and the BSCVA improved from 20/50 to 20/40. Eighteen months after the topography-guided PRK, the UCVA was 20/20, and the BSCVA was 20/15, with a refractive error of Plano -0.50 x 150. The cornea was clear, and the endothelial cell count remained unchanged. The untreated right mate eye continued to progress during the same period.

CONCLUSIONS

The significant clinical improvement and the apparent stability of more than a year after UVA CCL, and subsequent PRK compared with the untreated mate eye, seems to validate this treatment approach for KC. An adjusted nomogram may be considered in the ablation of cross-linked cornea tissue to avoid overcorrections.