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Evaluation of Corneal Parameters and Meibomian Gland Alterations After Corneal Cross-Linking in Patients With
Ayşe Tüfekçi Balıkçı1, Hafize Gökben Ulutaş
1University of Health Sciences (A.T.B.), Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology, Ankara, Turkey; and University of Health Sciences (H.G.U.), Bursa Yüksek Ihtisas Training and Research Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology, Bursa, Turkey.
Objectives:
The aim of the study was to evaluate the changes in corneal parameters and meibomian gland alterations after corneal cross-linking (CXL) for progressive keratoconus.
Methods:
Thirty nine eyes of 39 keratoconus patients were treated with CXL. Corneal topography, specular microscopy, the Ocular Surface Disease Index© (OSDI), noninvasive tear break-up time (NITBUT), and meibography indices were evaluated preoperatively and at the first, third, and sixth months after CXL.
Results:
The flattest keratometry (K1) ( P =0.003), steepest keratometry (K2) ( P <0.001), apex, central, and thinnest corneal thicknesses ( P <0.001) showed significant differences after cross-linking, whereas the changes in the maximum keratometry (Kmax) were not significant ( P =0.140). The endothelial cell density, coefficient of variation, and hexagonality were unchanged. The NITBUT values decreased after cross-linking; however, there was no significant change in OSDI index ( P =0.313), meiboscore ( P =0.392), and meibomian gland loss degrees ( P =0.300). No change was detected in the morphology of the meibomian glands after CXL.
Conclusion:
In eyes with keratoconus, a flattening in keratometry readings and thinning in corneal thickness were observed after CXL. The corneal endothelium is protected by dextran-free riboflavin. Cross-linking procedure causes dry eye by changing the corneal structure without affecting the morphology of the meibomian glands.
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