Comparative Analysis of Corneal Densitometry Changes Following Standard Versus Accelerated Corneal Cross-Linking...

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Corneal Surgery
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Keratoconus is a progressive corneal disease leading to vision impairment.
• Corneal cross-linking (CXL) is a treatment to halt keratoconus progression.
• Standard and accelerated CXL protocols exist, differing in UVA exposure time and intensity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare corneal densitometry changes after standard versus accelerated CXL in progressive keratoconus patients.
• To evaluate the efficacy of both CXL protocols in managing corneal opacity and haze.

Main Methods:

• Thirty-eight patients with progressive keratoconus were divided into two equal groups.
• One group received standard CXL (30 min, 3 mW/cm² UVA); the other received accelerated CXL (10 min, 9 mW/cm² UVA).
• Corneal densitometry was measured using Scheimpflug imaging at baseline and 1, 3, and 9 months post-surgery.

Main Results:

• Accelerated CXL group patients were significantly older.
• Nine months post-CXL, the accelerated group showed higher central and posterior corneal densitometry.
• After adjusting for age and baseline values, no significant intergroup differences in densitometry were found; both protocols reduced corneal opacity.

Conclusions:

• Both standard and accelerated CXL protocols induce transient corneal haze, measurable by increased densitometry in the first three months.
• The onset and recovery dynamics of postoperative corneal haze are comparable between standard and accelerated CXL.
• Corneal densitometry changes suggest comparable long-term efficacy for both CXL protocols in managing keratoconus.