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Published on: November 12, 2015
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Case Report: Acute Corneal Hydrops despite Accelerated Transepithelial Corneal Cross-linking
1Department of Ophthalmology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
Summary
Acute corneal hydrops can occur years after corneal cross-linking (CXL) for keratoconus, even with initial treatment success. Continued monitoring and consideration for retreatment are crucial for patients post-CXL.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Corneal Surgery
- Keratoconus Treatment
Background:
- Corneal cross-linking (CXL) is a standard treatment to halt progressive keratoconus.
- Accelerated transepithelial CXL was performed on a 19-year-old woman with bilateral progressive keratoconus.
Observation:
- The patient showed significant corneal flattening (>3 D) in the left eye two years post-CXL, indicating treatment efficacy.
- However, tomography revealed continued corneal thinning in the same eye.
- At 3.5 years post-CXL, acute corneal hydrops developed in the left eye, leading to scarring and the need for corneal transplantation.
Findings:
- This case highlights that corneal hydrops can manifest years after successful CXL.
- Progressive thinning may indicate a risk for late-onset complications despite initial flattening.
Implications:
- Long-term patient monitoring is essential after CXL, extending beyond the typical follow-up period.
- Retreatment for keratoconus should be considered if progressive corneal thinning is detected, irrespective of initial treatment response.
