Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 4, 2026
07:29
Three Different Protocols of Corneal Collagen Crosslinking in Keratoconus: Conventional, Accelerated and Iontophoresis
Published on: November 12, 2015
20.0K
Keratometry Changes Between Year One to Seven After Corneal Cross-Linking in Patients With Keratoconus
Lukas Neuhann1,2, Diana Vogel2, Jonathan Hall2
1Department of Ophthalmology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany.
Cornea
|January 30, 2024
Summary
Corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) improves keratoconus over 7 years. While most patients stabilize by year 5, some show further improvement, and progression may occur early, between years 1 and 3 post-CXL.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Corneal Surgery
- Biomaterials Science
Background:
- Keratoconus is a progressive corneal ectasia.
- Corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) aims to halt keratoconus progression.
- Long-term outcomes of CXL are crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate midterm to long-term keratometric changes after CXL.
- To determine the timing and extent of changes up to 7 years post-CXL.
- To assess functional outcomes and disease progression.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing CXL (Dresden protocol).
- Inclusion of patients with Scheimpflug tomography data at baseline and years 1, 3, 5, and 7.
- Analysis of keratometric parameters and best-corrected visual acuity.
Main Results:
- Significant keratometric improvement at year 1 post-CXL (excluding posterior astigmatism).
- Continued significant changes in most parameters between years 1 and 7.
- Statistically significant improvement in best-corrected visual acuity over time.
- Disease progression noted in 22.2% of patients, primarily between years 1 and 3.
Conclusions:
- Keratometric and functional parameters generally stabilize by year 5 post-CXL.
- Further improvements can occur up to 7 years after CXL.
- Early changes between years 1 and 3 may indicate disease progression.
