Efficacy and Safety of Accelerated Corneal Cross-linking for Progressive Keratoconus: A 5-Year Follow-up Study

To investigate the long-term efficacy and safety of continuous light-accelerated corneal cross-linking (CXL) in patients with progressive keratoconus.

This retrospective study analyzed 29 eyes of 29 consecutive patients with progressive keratoconus treated with epithelium-off riboflavin-ultraviolet induced accelerated CXL (30 mW/cm²-7.2 joules/cm²). Uncorrected (UDVA) and corrected (CDVA) distance visual acuity, keratometry measurements at 3 and 6 mm (Kmax, Kmin, and Kmean), topographic astigmatism, central corneal thickness, anterior corneal aberrometric analysis (at 3 and 6 mm), endothelial cell density, and central foveal thickness were evaluated before and 24 and 60 months after surgery.

UDVA significantly improved at 60 months postoperatively (P = .028). Kmax and Kmean at 3 mm significantly decreased at 24 (P = .009 and .006, respectively) and 60 (P = .017 and .034, respectively) months postoperatively, whereas Kmin significantly decreased only at 24 months postoperatively (P = .032). Kmax at 6 mm significantly decreased at 24 and 60 months postoperatively (P = .035 and .027, respectively). Cylinder error significantly decreased at 24 and 60 months postoperatively (P = .001 and .023, respectively). Wavefront aberration variables remained unchanged after surgery, except for spherical aberration at 6 mm that decreased at 24 and 60 months postoperatively (P = .038 and .031, respectively) and trefoil at 0° that significantly decreased at 24 months postoperatively (P < .005). Endothelial cell density and central foveal thickness showed no changes from baseline.

Accelerated CXL was found to be effective in halting keratoconus progression and improving some of the visual, topographic, and wavefront aberration variables evaluated. High energy irradiance did not induce significant changes in corneal transparency, endothelial cell density, and central foveal thickness. [J Refract Surg. 2020;36(11):724-730.].