Collagen Crosslinking in Keratoconus - Long-Term Results

Abstract

Purpose: : Aim of this long-term retrospective study was to prove a long-term halting effect of riboflavin and UVA-induced collagen crosslinking in progressive keratoconus.

Methods: : 510 eyes of 302 patients with progressive keratoconus and minimal corneal thickness of 400 µm were included in this study. The maximum follow-up time was 7.5 years. At all examination refraction, best corrected visual acuity, corneal topography and corneal thickness were recorded.

Results: : The analysis includes 153 eyes with a minimal follow-up of 12 months. The keratectasia significantly decreased in 1^st year by 2.29 D, in 2^nd year by 3.27 D, in 3^rd year by 4.34 D. The visual acuity improved significantly in at least one line resp. remained stable (i.e. no line loss) in 1^st year in 49% resp. 24%, in 2^nd year in 51% resp. 30%, in 3rd year in 61% resp. 34%. Over the following years the results remained stable or even improved.

Conclusions: : Our results indicate a long-term stabilization of the keratoconic cornea after collagen crosslinking. Collagen crosslinking is an effective therapeutical option for progressing keratoconus with an enormous economical and psychosocial benefit. Concerning the size of our cohort and the follow-up time, till now there are no comparable data recorded in literature.

Keywords: keratoconus • cornea: clinical science • topography