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Updated: Aug 17, 2026

Three Different Protocols of Corneal Collagen Crosslinking in Keratoconus: Conventional, Accelerated and Iontophoresis
Published on: November 12, 2015
[Efficacy and low cost in keratoconus treatment with rigid gas-permeable contact lens]
Tarciso Schirmbeck1, Jayter S Paula, Luiz Fernando Taranta Martin
1Ambulatório de Oftalmologia, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP.
Purpose:
To study the efficacy of rigid gas-permeable contact lens (RGPCL) fitting in keratoconus patients and to determine treatment costs.
Methods:
The records of 126 patients treated at the Hospital das Clínicas de Ribeirão Preto from January 2001 to June 2002 were retrospectively studied. Information about sex, age and treated eyes was collected. Visual acuity (VA) with and without correction was measured and plotted against corneal base curve (K) and toricity. Average price of the lenses was calculated.
Results:
Fitting rigid gas-permeable contact lens was successful in 86.18% of the patients, resulting in VA=0.8 in 40.00% of them. Visual acuity improvement was observed in patients with steep base curve and in patients with high corneal toricity. Age of most patients ranged from 15 to 45 years; 60.31% of them were female. Corneal transplantation was indicated in 11.24% of the cases. Cost of each lens averaged R$ 40.00 (USD 13.00).
Conclusion:
Rigid gas-permeable contact lens proved to be an efficient, low-cost resource for improving visual acuity in most of the treated patients.
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