Abstract
Purpose :
Controversy exists regarding biomechanical changes in keratoconic corneas before and after corneal crosslinking (CXL). We performed a retrospective clinical study to compare biomechanical changes among healthy, subclinical keratoconus and keratoconus before/after CXL.
Methods :
Eighty-five eyes were studied in three groups: group 1 (n=36) healthy eyes, group 2 (n=28) subclinical keratoconus, group 3 (n=21) keratoconus before CXL. Corneal biomechanical parameters obtained with the ultrahigh-speed Scheimpflug measurements (Corvis ST, OCULUS) were assessed in 3 groups and keratoconus eyes 1 year after CXL (group4, n=21).
Results :
Most biomechanical parameters between normal eyes, subclinical keratoconus eyes and keratoconus demonstrated significant differences gradually (P < 0.05), with hardness and thickness parameters decreasing gradually, and shape variables increasing gradually. For keratoconic corneas, one year after CXL, HC-DA, HC-deflection amplitude, deflection area and integrated radius were lower than those before surgery (P < 0.05), and SP-A1 increased after CXL (P < 0.05). There was a tendency of biomechanical parameters of keratoconus restoring to normal and subclinical level, but did not reach.
Conclusions :
This study suggests that corneal biomechanics is promising to be an effective method for the diagnosis of subclinical keratoconus. CXL can effectively prevent the development of keratoconus and help the recovery of corneal biomechanical properties.
This abstract was presented at the 2019 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Vancouver, Canada, April 28 - May 2, 2019.