Results of corneal crosslinking in adolescents with progressive keratoconus: prospective study

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of epithelium-off (epi-off) corneal crosslinking (CXL) in adolescents with progressive keratoconus (KC).

Private clinical practice.

Nonrandomized prospective clinical trial.

230 adolescent patients aged 10 to 19 years with progressive KC (increasing maximum keratometry [Kmax] or astigmatism of 1.00 diopter or greater associated with decreased corrected distance visual acuity [CDVA]) underwent CXL. Exclusion criteria were age at time of CXL younger than 10 years or older than 19 years, corneas that were thinner than 400 μm or demonstrated central corneal scarring, history of herpetic eye disease, or pregnancy or nursing. Follow-up examinations of uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), CDVA, Kmax, and minimum pachymetry occurred on 130 eyes at 1 year, 77 eyes at 2 years, and 55 eyes at 3 years post-CXL.

In this study, 230 eyes of adolescent patients were evaluated. UDVA significantly improved from preoperatively to 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years post-CXL. CDVA values significantly improved from preoperatively to 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years post-CXL. Kmax values significantly reduced (improved) from preoperatively to 1 year and 3 years post-CXL and reduced (improved) (P = .22) from preoperatively to 2 years post-CXL. Minimum pachymetry decreased significantly from preoperatively to 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years post-CXL.

CXL in patients aged 10 to 19 years was safe and efficacious, halted progression of KC and could improve UCVA, CDVA, and Kmax. Minimum pachymetry decreased and stabilized post-CXL. Ophthalmologists should encourage adolescent patients with KC to obtain prompt evaluation and possible CXL to halt progression of the disease.