Collagen crosslinking with riboflavin and ultraviolet-A light in keratoconus: long-term results.
OBJECTIVE
To prove the long-term dampening effect of riboflavin- and ultraviolet-A-induced collagen crosslinking on progressive keratoconus.


METHODS
Department of Ophthalmology, C.G. Carus University Hospital, Dresden, Germany.


METHODS
Four hundred eighty eyes of 272 patients with progressive keratoconus were included in this long-term retrospective study. The maximum follow-up was 6 years. At the first and all follow-up examinations, refraction, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), corneal topography, corneal thickness, and intraocular pressure were recorded.


RESULTS
The analysis included 241 eyes with a minimum follow-up of 6 months. The steepening decreased significantly by 2.68 diopters (D) in the first year, 2.21 D in the second year, and 4.84 D in the third year. The BCVA improved significantly (> or = 1 line) in 53% of 142 eyes in the first year, 57% of 66 eyes in the second year, and 58% of 33 eyes in the first year or remained stable (no lines lost) in 20%, 24%, and 29%, respectively. Two patients had continuous progression of keratoconus and had repeat crosslinking procedures.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite the low number of patients with a follow-up longer than 3 years, results indicate long-term stabilization and improvement after collagen crosslinking. Thus, collagen crosslinking is an effective therapeutical option for progressive keratoconus.
Raiskup-Wolf
Frederik
F
Department of Ophthalmology, C.G. Carus University Hospital, Dresden, Germany. frederik.raiskup-wolf@uniklinikum-dresden.de
Hoyer
Anne
A
Spoerl
Eberhard
E
Pillunat
Lutz E
LE
D000328:Adult; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism*; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects; D018450:Disease Progression; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007640:Keratoconus / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012256:Riboflavin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014792:Visual Acuity
D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D003094:Collagen; D012256:Riboflavin